UNICEF Donates Six Ambulance Boats to Bayelsa State for Improved Healthcare

In a step towards enhancing healthcare and emergency response services in Bayelsa State’s remote riverine communities, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated six ambulance boats to the state government.

This initiative, funded by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), aims to improve access to medical care and reduce the mortality rates among women and children in the region.

Equipped with essential medical amenities and staffed with trained healthcare personnel, the ambulance boats will facilitate swift and effective emergency medical assistance, including the transportation of pregnant women in labor and newborns to medical facilities.

Furthermore, these boats will also support immunization outreach programs, addressing the pressing need for increased vaccination coverage in the state.

Bayelsa State faces substantial challenges in healthcare provision, with nearly 100 out of every 1000 children not surviving to see their fifth birthday, an infant mortality rate of 70 per 1000 births, and only 40 percent of babies being delivered in health facilities.

The provision of these ambulance boats is a crucial step towards ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to lifesaving healthcare services, thereby improving the survival rates for women and children.

Speaking on the initiative, UNICEF Nigeria country representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, highlighted the importance of the ambulance boats in providing essential healthcare interventions, such as immunizations, antenatal care, and health education, directly to those in need.

The deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed gratitude for the donation and emphasized the state’s commitment to providing equitable healthcare services, irrespective of geographical barriers.

This initiative is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022 between the Bayelsa State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Governors Forum, GAVI, and UNICEF.

The agreement aims to improve routine immunisation and primary healthcare systems, as well as reduce the loss of life, particularly among women and children in the state.

With the delivery of these ambulance boats, Bayelsa State is taking a significant step towards a brighter, healthier future for all its citizens, ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for equitable access to healthcare services.