Rhodes-Vivour Pledges Two Ambulances for Every Lagos Ward
The Lagos State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has proposed establishing emergency response centres in every ward, each equipped with two ambulances, as part of his healthcare plans ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Rhodes-Vivour said the centres would be linked to a data-driven system that would help emergency responders identify hospitals with available beds and the necessary facilities before transferring patients.
He spoke on Friday at the BusinessDay Policy Intervention Series Town Hall with the Organised Private Sector, where he outlined his healthcare proposals.
The former Labour Party governorship candidate said the initiative would address delays caused by patients being moved from one hospital to another in search of available beds, a situation he said could cost lives.
“Our focus is first to ensure that we have emergency response services in every ward with two ambulances tagged to that particular emergency response centre,” he said.
He explained that the proposed centres would use data to coordinate emergency transfers and ensure patients were taken to appropriate medical facilities after receiving initial stabilisation.
“So we are not going to have situations where people will leave that place and be looking for beds or where to go. A lot of people die that way.
“From there, they’re going to call to make sure that there’s a hospital with everything that’s needed after that person has been stabilised to go there,” he added.
Rhodes-Vivour also advocated preventive healthcare, arguing that wider access to routine medical screenings and community health initiatives would reduce pressure on public hospitals and the long-term cost of treating chronic illnesses.
He proposed expanding micro health insurance schemes and preventive medicine programmes to protect low-income earners from financial hardship arising from medical emergencies.
He added that prioritising public health and early intervention would improve workforce productivity and reduce government spending on healthcare.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe.
