LAGOS 2027: RHODES-VIVOUR PROMISES 490 AMBULANCES
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has promised to establish emergency response centres in all 245 wards across the state, with two ambulances assigned to each centre if elected in 2027.
Rhodes-Vivour made the pledge during the Lagos Governorship Debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, where candidates outlined their plans for improving healthcare, transportation, infrastructure and other sectors.
He said the proposed centres would reduce delays in accessing emergency medical attention and help prevent avoidable deaths caused by patients moving from one hospital to another in search of beds, oxygen and other essential services.
According to him, bringing emergency response facilities closer to communities would make it easier for residents to receive urgent medical assistance.
The ADC candidate explained that the centres would also promote preventive healthcare through health education, early detection of illnesses and community wellness programmes.
He said the facilities would include wellness services and exercise opportunities, particularly for retirees and pensioners, while encouraging residents to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Rhodes-Vivour also pledged to increase healthcare funding to nearly 15 per cent of the Lagos State budget, in line with the Abuja Declaration benchmark.
Other proposed measures include improving the salaries of doctors, training healthcare support staff and introducing artificial intelligence to strengthen medical diagnosis and service delivery.
He further advocated stronger primary healthcare services and partnerships with private healthcare providers to improve access to affordable medical treatment.
The proposal is part of his wider healthcare agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
His promises came during a debate in which other candidates also presented different approaches to healthcare delivery. The APC candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, proposed expanding the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme, upgrading primary healthcare centres and increasing hospital capacity.
Rhodes-Vivour’s proposed 245 emergency centres, each with two ambulances, would amount to 490 ambulances across Lagos if implemented.
