The National Programme Manager of the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), Dr. Doubra Emuren, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Bayelsa State, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe. The meeting was held at the auditorium of the Commissioner’s Office at the State Secretariat Annex at 1:00 pm.
Present at the meeting to receive the NEMSAS delegation were the Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jones Y. Stow; Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ngowari Torunana; Programme Manager, Bayelsa Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (BEMSAS), Dr. Malcolm Insibe; and the Acting Head of Operations and Director of Public Health, Dr. Ebikapaye Okoyen, among other officials.
Following the formal introduction of participants, the National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Dr. Doubra Emuren, expressed appreciation to the Honourable Commissioner for the warm reception and acknowledged him as a mentor and facilitator. Dr. Emuren further commended the Bayelsa Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (BEMSAS) for establishing a state-of-the-art training centre, noting its significant potential for capacity development in emergency medical services. He recommended that the facility be upgraded to serve as a regional training centre, which would promote optimal utilization and position Bayelsa State as a hub for emergency medical training and services within the geopolitical zone and beyond.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jones Y. Stow, appreciated the NEMSAS Programme Manager for the visit and commended his leadership and developmental strides in advancing emergency medical services in Nigeria.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, while welcoming the NEMSAS delegation, highlighted the achievements of BEMSAS. He stated that the system currently operates a comprehensive emergency medical infrastructure which includes a training centre, a functional blood bank, 10 boat ambulances, and 30 vehicular ambulances, all registered and actively deployed for service delivery. He further noted that the strategic objective of BEMSAS is to reduce emergency response time to five minutes across the state.
Prof. Brisibe emphasized that BEMSAS services cover all three senatorial districts of Bayelsa State, with careful consideration of the state’s challenging riverine terrain. The system integrates services across primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities, thereby ensuring coordinated emergency medical response across the health system.
The Commissioner also noted that the blood bank operates on a voluntary donation system, and further highlighted the State Government’s collaboration with Zipline to enhance access to medical logistics and strengthen healthcare delivery. He further affirmed the state’s commitment to upgrading the BEMSAS training centre into a regional facility, with expanded focus on maternal and child health emergencies, road traffic incidents, and other critical emergency care services.
Prof. Brisibe thanked the NEMSAS Programme Manager for the visit and expressed confidence in his leadership and commitment to strengthening emergency medical services nationwide. The Commissioner also extended his condolences to Dr. Emuren on the passing of his father and assured him of his personal presence at the burial ceremony.
The meeting concluded with a group photograph taken at the office of the Honourable Commissioner.
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