By Erewunmi Peace

Osun State’s emergency medical services, once regarded as a model for state-run ambulance systems in Nigeria, appear to be facing a slow decline, with reports suggesting a drastic reduction in operational ambulances.

At its peak, the Osun State Ambulance Service, also known as O’Ambulance, reportedly had a fleet of nearly 35–49 ambulances, providing emergency medical response across the state.

Today, however, residents and stakeholders claim that the number of functioning ambulances has fallen to fewer than ten.

Health experts warn that such a reduction could have serious consequences for emergency response, especially in rural communities, where rapid medical intervention can be the difference between life and death

Challenges Facing the Service
According to sources familiar with the state’s health sector:

• Funding gaps and inadequate maintenance have left many ambulances grounded.
• Shortage of trained personnel has further limited emergency response capabilities.
• Equipment failure due to age and lack of replacement parts has hampered services.

Dr. Adeola Olaniyan, a public health expert, notes:

“Emergency services require consistent funding, trained personnel, and functional equipment. Any disruption in these areas compromises public safety.”

While the state government has not released recent official figures on the ambulance fleet, past records show that Osun’s ambulance service was one of the better-equipped state services in Nigeria, saving thousands of lives in its active years.

• Conduct a fleet audit to determine operational vehicles.
• Invest in maintenance and replacement of old ambulances.
• Train more paramedics to
  ensure timely response to emergencies.

The situation in Osun mirrors a broader challenge in Nigeria, where emergency medical services remain underdeveloped and underfunded, leaving many citizens vulnerable in critical situations.

The Osun State Government is yet to respond to requests for comments on the current status of its ambulance service.