The Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently establish well-equipped ambulance points on major highways across the country, especially on accident-prone routes, to improve emergency response and save lives.
The association said the ambulance points should be strategically located, properly equipped and manned by trained personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
In a statement, HEWAN National President, Vivian Ihechu, expressed concern over the persistent loss of lives and rising cases of severe injuries from road traffic crashes, attributing many fatalities to weak, delayed or non-existent emergency response systems.
She noted that while road traffic crashes remain a major public health challenge, many deaths and long-term disabilities occur because victims do not receive timely rescue, pre-hospital care and prompt medical attention.
According to her, functional highway ambulance services are no longer optional but essential, stressing that quicker access to emergency care could significantly reduce response and evacuation times and save many lives on Nigerian roads.
HEWAN also urged the Federal Government to train and deploy first responders along major highways to stabilise crash victims before transporting them to nearby health facilities.
The association further called on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to play a critical role in strengthening emergency response systems across states through coordinated investments in ambulance services, trauma response units and functional toll-free emergency numbers.
In addition, HEWAN drew attention to challenges within the health sector, urging the government to resolve the ongoing health workers’ strike, warning that an effective emergency response system cannot function without available and motivated health professionals.The association reiterated that saving lives after road traffic crashes is a public health priority and called on all relevant authorities to take decisive action to improve highway emergency response nationwide.
Reporting by Vivian Ihechu