By Adesakin Adefemi
The Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (OGSEMSAS), a department under the Ogun State Ministry of Health, held a community outreach at Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat, Itoorun, on February 19, 2026, to sensitize residents on free ambulance and emergency services.
Citizens were reminded that by calling 0811 200 0033, they can access free emergency transport for pregnant women, children under five, road crash victims, and other emergencies, with free medical care for the first 48 hours at state hospitals.
Dr. Hassan Adelakun, Director of OGSEMSAS, explained that the outreach was designed to educate residents on how to use the emergency contact 0811 200 0033 effectively. He emphasized that timely calls to the emergency line could mean the difference between life and death, urging residents to always keep the number handy.
He disclosed that in 2025 alone, 1,195 emergency calls were received and promptly attended to by OGSEMSAS, saving countless lives. According to him, these figures demonstrate the growing trust of citizens in the emergency response system and the government’s commitment to healthcare delivery.
Dr. Adelakun added that OGSEMSAS works in collaboration with the Police, Fire Service, TRACE, Road Safety, and other security agencies to ensure swift response when residents dial 0811 200 0033, strengthening emergency coordination across Ogun State. He noted that such inter-agency cooperation has significantly reduced response time during critical situations.
He also announced that public awareness jingles in Yoruba, Egun Pidgin, and English will soon air on television and radio stations, reminding citizens to always call 0811 200 0033 during emergency. These jingles, he said, are part of a broader strategy to reach every household, regardless of language or literacy level.
Mr. Ogunle Adedoyin, Health Education Officer of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, commended OGSEMSAS and Community Based First Responders (CBFRs) for their dedication. He urged stakeholders to always call *“0811 200 0033”* and spread the message to others, stressing that community participation is key to sustaining the program.
At the outreach, community leaders and stakeholders praised OGSEMSAS and the Ogun State Governor for their commitment to saving lives. Zonal CDC Chairman Alhaji Prince Adeyemi encouraged representatives to call 0811 200 0033 promptly, while other community leaders, including Zonal Youth Representative Mr. Hammed Mebude and Women’s Representative Mrs. Alatilehin Hannah Abosede expressed appreciation for the program’s benefits.
Itamapako WDC/CDC Chairman Omosanya Adekunle, Agbaja Success CDA Chairman Mr. Adesina Adedamola and other stakeholders acknowledged government efforts to improve emergency response, with assurances that patients would be taken to Government Hospital for 48 hours of free treatment. They described the initiative as a lifeline for vulnerable groups, especially pregnant women and children.
Health workers highlighted OGSEMSAS’s operational impact, noting that ambulances stationed at key points like Aiyepe Junction have improved response times. Nurse Aborisade explained that tricycle ambulances, primarily for pregnant women, are also available for other emergencies, and she urged residents to share *“0811 200 0033”* widely to save more lives.
Area CDC Secretary Comr. Kingsley Adebanjo acknowledged that OGSEMSAS’s presence has already strengthened emergency response capacity across the local government. Nurse Olayemi Abigail, the Vocal Point of Italoto Primary Health Centre, stated that the tricycle ambulances have been helping pregnant women, most especially in her Primary Health Centre, by highlighting a case of two pregnant women who lived in faraway distance from the main town and during the time of their labour at midnights, it was the ambulance that rescued them to the hospital and they put to bed successfully.
Dr. Oyenekan Abiodun Olorunsogo, Deputy Director and Head of Operations of OGSEMSAS, appreciated the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Kehinde Oladehinde, the Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Tomi Coker and the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for their visionary leadership and commitment to healthcare delivery. He thanked community representatives, I.O.C/CBFRs, and Ward Vocal Persons for their tremendous efforts, while reaffirming that the government’s investment in emergency services continues to save lives and strengthen public confidence in healthcare across Ogun State.
Nurse Bolanle Thompson, Head of Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT), appreciated all the staffers of OGSEMSAS who attended the programme, including Mr. Adesakin Adefemi, Head of Media & Publicity; Mr. Sherrif Obawumi, Head of Data; Mr. Olukayode Fatade, Head of Fleet; Mr. Gbenga Olakunle, Mrs. Olalekan Omowumi, and Miss Veronical Owolabi of the Media and Publicity Unit. She also acknowledged the vital role of Community Based First Responders (CBFRS) in supporting emergency response at the grassroots level.
The outreach, which moved through the streets of Ijebu-Ode from Itoorun Local Government Secretariat, to Lagos Garrage, and down to New Market Ita Osu at Ward 6, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, concluded with a renewed call to residents to always remember and use the emergency number 0811 200 0033, as it remains the lifeline to free, fast, and reliable emergency medical response.
