The Lagos State Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing emergency medical services via the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). At a press briefing, Permanent Secretary Dr. Olusegun Ogboye outlined key expansion initiatives including the introduction of motorcycle and water ambulances, increased community engagement, and plans for aerial ambulance partnerships.
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, highlighted LASAMBUS as a vital component of the state’s emergency architecture, saving thousands of lives annually through timely intervention.
“Emergency response isn’t just about transportation, it’s about stabilizing lives en route to care,” Ogboye said. He revealed that LASAMBUS responded to over 8,900 emergencies in 2024, with nearly 3,000 cases already handled in 2025, recording minimal in-transit mortality.
He traced the service’s growth from four vehicles in 2001 to its current fleet of 36 ambulances, four operational bases, over 190 trained personnel, and specialized mobile ICU and marine units. To further improve access, he announced the introduction of 10 motorcycle ambulances, a first responder volunteer program, and renewed deployment of water ambulances for riverine areas.
Plans are also underway to explore partnerships for aerial ambulance support, he said.
Dr. Ogboye appealed to the public to support LASAMBUS operations by providing accurate locations, avoiding crowd interference, and showing courtesy to ambulances. “Every second counts in an emergency. Give way, and stop vandalizing life-saving assets,” he stressed.
Director of LASAMBUS, Mrs. Beatrice Makinde, echoed these concerns, citing miscommunication and crowd congestion as major causes of delay. “Our mission is clear—save lives first. But we need the public to cooperate,” she said.
The event featured moving testimonies from LASAMBUS users, including survivors of car crashes, falls, and medical emergencies. From school administrators to traders, beneficiaries praised the service’s swift, professional, and completely free interventions.
“I owe my life to LASAMBUS,” said Morufu Muriana Ademola, an accident survivor from Ibadan. “They didn’t ask who I was—they just saved me.”
The session ended with commendation for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s investment in healthcare infrastructure and emergency care systems. Dr. Ogboye emphasized the administration’s vision for a safer Lagos, stating, “Our goal is to ensure that every Lagosian, no matter where they are, has access to urgent medical help when it matters most.”
The engagement forms part of a broader public sensitization drive to improve emergency response outcomes and foster public trust and collaboration.
