Sokoto State Develops Annual Operational Plan on Emergency Medical Services & Ambulance System

By Bashir Hassan Abubakar

Sokoto State Government with support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded intervention, MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics project has developed the first ever Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for the state’s Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (SOSEMSAS) for the year 2023/2024.

The development of the AOP took place recently at a three-Day workshop held at Dan Kani Hotel Conference Hall Sokoto, with about 15 participants drawn from health- related Ministry Departments and Agencies in the State.

The objective of the workshop was to develop a comprehensive operational plan for Sokoto State that will guide the implementation of emergency medical services and ambulance systems.

In a short remarks during the opening ceremony of the workshop, the Chief Medical Director of the Sokoto State Specialist Hospital (CMD) who was represented by Dr. Farouk Kasarawa, said that when the document becomes fully operational, it will aid a robust referral system aimed at saving patients live, especially those in hard- to-reach communities that finds it difficult to access health care services.

Participants in a group picture during the 3-day workshop to develop AOP for Sokoto state Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System

Also speaking shortly before commencement of the workshop, Director, medical services of the Sokoto State ministry of health, Dr. Bello Shuaibu  Gobir informed participants that their selection to participate in the high level workshop was based on their Impeccable records of dedication, hard-work and passion they all shared, in seeing an improved emergency medical service in the State healthcare system.

Gobir charged the participants to be at their best and contribute meaningfully towards the realization of the workshop objectives.

In a goodwill message, the Country Program Manager MOMENTUM Safe Surgery project and Country Representative EngenderHealth, Dr. Kabiru Atta commended the State for taking lead in the development of the SOSEMSAS AOP.

Atta further said that the move by the state to have the operational plan in place was a clear demonstration of the political-will needed for better health outcomes in the State.

He also reiterated the commitment of USAID funded MOMENTUM Safe Surgery project to providing technical support in the areas of emergency and ambulance systems management with a view to having an enhanced safe surgery, family planning and obstetric services in Sokoto State.

There was another goodwill message from another USAID intervention, Integrated Health Program (USAID IHP), where a representative of the Sokoto office also commended Sokoto State, describing the development of AOP as ‘ historic activity’ that would add value to healthcare and  referral system services in the State”

The 3-day workshop was facilitated by In-house personnel of MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics Project Sokoto state office and representatives of Sokoto State Ministry of Health