From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

Osun State Government has inaugurated tricycle ambulances and Ileri-Oluwa basic medical emergency park to ensure emergency medical services reach rural communities.
Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola while launching the tricycle ambulances at the office of Osun Ambulance Services Agency in Osogbo, said the novel idea would make transporting patients during medical emergency easy.
She noted that the Tricycle Ambulance to Primary Health Centers would ensure that residents in rural and remote communities have access to medical personnel in emergency situation.
“The three-wheel ambulance vehicles would complement the existing four-wheel vehicles which services have also been rated one of the best in Nigeria.”
Mrs Oyetola urged women in rural communities to take advantage of health care services made available by government and ensured they access medical personnel rather than resorting to self-medication.
She also begged pregnant mothers to make use of the facilities.
“The state government will roll out pregnancy care service to help pregnant mothers birth safely and reduce the burden of neonatal death in Osun”, she said.
Earlier in his address, General Manager, Osun Ambulance Services, Dr Samuel Babatunde, said the agency has saved over 3000 lives within the last three years, while 158 babies were delivered.
Also, the state Head of Service, Dr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade commended Governor Oyetola for the provision of tricycle ambulances, calling on Nigeria Police to be flexible with patients who need treatment that required police report like a gunshot, particularly at night.