Delta Community Launches Free Ambulance Service with N10m Seed Fund

The Asaba community in Delta State has officially launched a free ambulance service initiative, backed by an initial take-off fund of N10 million.

The unveiling took place on Monday in Asaba, where the traditional ruler, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, announced that the project is aimed at enhancing emergency healthcare delivery across the community.

Prof. Azinge explained that while the ambulances themselves have not yet been purchased, the launch follows several months of planning that had been delayed by bureaucratic obstacles. He stressed that the initiative is designed to serve the collective welfare of residents and will be subject to continuous reviews and improvements for the public good.

The traditional ruler called on non-governmental organisations, banks, clubs, associations, and Asaba indigenes both at home and abroad to contribute to the project, noting that the service would be community-driven and completely free for all residents.

He expressed optimism about the project’s success, pointing out that the community already has access to doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals. The initiative, he added, would also generate employment for drivers and additional health workers.

The Asagba revealed that the community plans to commission at least five ambulances within the next two months, and emphasised that the service would not be limited to indigenes but open to every resident of Asaba.

According to him, healthcare remains a key priority for the throne, and efforts are already ongoing to revitalise primary healthcare centres across the community. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists have been deployed through partnerships with relevant agencies to support healthcare services.

Prof. Azinge noted that the ambulance scheme would complement the healthcare efforts of both Delta State and the Federal Government. He recalled that the Asaba community had previously donated dialysis machines to the Federal Medical Centre and the Asaba Specialist Hospital.

He assured residents that emergency communication channels and security arrangements would be put in place to ensure smooth operations, and commended the Drug Rehabilitation Committee, led by Dr. Ifeanyi Uriah, for its contributions toward realising the vision.