The Lagos State Ministry of Health has reiterated its commitment to improving pre-hospital emergency response services through strategic upgrades to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), while also calling on the public to support its operations and reduce avoidable obstacles to life-saving interventions.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, disclosed this during an emotionally charged media engagement event tagged “LASAMBUS: Highlighting Impact, Improving and Sustaining Response,” held at the Conference Room of the Ministry, which brought beneficiaries and service users face-to-face with journalists to share life-saving experiences and unveil future-forward strategies to strengthen pre-hospital emergency care in the state.

In his presentation titled “Lagos State Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: The LASAMBUS Case Study – Past, Present and Future,” Dr. Ogboye described LASAMBUS as a critical pillar in Lagos’ emergency response architecture, saving thousands of lives through timely and professional medical intervention. “Emergency medical response is more than just transportation; it’s about stabilizing lives en route to definitive care,” Dr. Ogboye explained.

He traced LASAMBUS’ evolution from four Peugeot wagons in 2001 under then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu to its current structure boasting four operational bases, 36 ambulances daily, over 190 trained personnel, and specialized services including mobile ICU units and water ambulances.

Providing insight into the state’s service metrics, Dr. Ogboye revealed that LASAMBUS responded to over 8,900 emergency calls in 2024 and has already handled nearly 3,000 cases in 2025. “We have consistently recorded extremely low mortality during transit, often just one case annually, which speaks to the clinical capability of our team,” he said.

He added that the government is introducing new solutions to address challenges such as traffic delays, vague location descriptions, crowd interference, and ambulance vandalism. Planned innovations include the deployment of 10 motorcycle ambulances, a first responder volunteer scheme, and the rejig of water ambulances for riverine communities.

“We are also engaging private helicopter providers for potential air ambulance support in critical cases,” Ogboye said, adding that the government has made significant investments in digital communication upgrades, tracking systems, and modular ambulance deployment points across the state.

The Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of citizens cooperation. “Ambulance teams are not adversaries; they are your allies. When you see an ambulance, give way, whether it is empty or not. And stop vandalizing emergency vehicles; they are built to save lives,” he said.

He stated that 60 percent of LASAMBUS emergencies in 2024 involved trauma cases such as road traffic accidents and falls, while 25 percent were medical emergencies including seizures and cardiac incidents. Obstetric and public health emergencies accounted for the remaining 15 percent.

In her remarks, the Director of LASAMBUS, Mrs. Beatrice Makinde, explained that many of the delays reported by the public stem from road network issues and miscommunication. “Sometimes, callers provide vague or incorrect directions, which takes us longer to reach the scene,” she said. “Crowd behaviour is also a problem. People gather instead of helping to create access for responders.”

Mrs. Makinde emphasized that the agency remains committed to its core mandate despite these constraints adding that her team remains undeterred by these challenges and is guided by the principle of saving lives at all costs.

She called on the press and public to echo the call for better road courtesy toward emergency responders. “We do not take this work lightly. Saving lives depends on minutes and every minute counts in emergency care. That’s why public understanding and courtesy are so important, we need every Lagosian to play their part,” she concluded.

Several beneficiaries who have used LASAMBUS services shared their experiences during the session and their testimonies served as the emotional highlight of the event. Mr. Adebayo Akinola narrated how LASAMBUS rescued his uncle after an accident in Oshodi. “Their prompt response was the reason my uncle is still alive today,” he said. “We didn’t pay a kobo, yet we received world-class service.”

For Omotayo Oluwakemi Adeyinka, a Director in Education District I, her testimony was deeply personal. She recounted how a young boy was hit by her car on Agege Bridge and went into a coma. “The private hospital couldn’t help. But LASAMBUS came, transferred him, and stayed until he was stabilized. I offered money, and they declined, it’s truly free!” she said, visibly moved.

Mr. Akintayo Moshood, another beneficiary, said he painted the LASAMBUS ambulance wall in Agege out of gratitude. “I fainted from a fall. They rescued me, treated me with dignity, and didn’t even know who I was,” he recalled. “I wanted to do something—anything—to say thank you.”

In a 2 a.m. emergency, Sulaimon Kabir Olanrewaju found himself struggling to breathe. “We couldn’t find a car. Then we called 767. Within five minutes, LASAMBUS arrived. That was my first time using an emergency line. They saved my life,” he shared emotionally.

Morufu Muriana Ademola, a spare parts dealer from Ibadan, narrated how a tragic motor accident in Lagos nearly claimed his life. “My intestines were out. I was unconscious for months. I’m alive because LASAMBUS intervened,” he said. “I’m not even a Lagosian, yet I received help.”

The event concluded with expressions of gratitude to State Government and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for prioritizing healthcare access and infrastructure, especially in emergency services. Dr. Ogboye noted that the Governor’s support has been instrumental in building a responsive and professional ambulance system. He reiterated, “Our Governor’s vision for a safer Lagos is what makes this possible. Our task is to sustain and scale this vision.”

He affirmed that the Ministry would continue to build on current gains. “The Governor has given us the resources. It is now our duty to make sure every Lagosian in distress has access to timely emergency care,” he said.

With testimonies steeped in gratitude and a roadmap filled with innovation, the media engagement solidified LASAMBUS as more than just an ambulance service; it’s a lifeline for Lagosians. And as the sirens blaze through Lagos roads, so too does the hope that more lives will be saved, faster and better than ever before.

The LASAMBUS media engagement forms part of a larger sensitization campaign aimed at improving emergency response efficiency, increasing public trust in the service, and fostering a culture of timely intervention and cooperation among residents.

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