By Abujah Racheal
As the government advances plans to introduce air ambulance services into Nigeria’s emergency response system, a pilot says Nigerians must understand that helicopters alone will not fix longstanding trauma care gaps.
At the centre of the conversation is a broader reform: the establishment of a coordinated major trauma network.
Capt. Bukola Agbenike, a volunteer pilot with London’s Air Ambulance, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that this is the backbone of any effective emergency medical system.
NAN reports that, under the leadership of Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the ministry is exploring ways to modernise emergency care.
This includes learning from global best practices in air medical transport.
However, Agbenike said that public understanding of twin concepts of air ambulances and trauma systems is critical to managing expectations and ensuring accountability.
“An air ambulance is a helicopter or aircraft specially equipped to function like a mobile intensive care unit, with trained medical personnel onboard,” he said.
According to him, it is primarily used to evacuate critically ill or injured patients from accident scenes, transfer patients between hospitals for specialised care, and reach remote or hard-to-access areas quickly.
“In emergencies such as road crashes, strokes, or complicated childbirth cases, speed can mean the difference between life and death.
“Air ambulances help reduce delays, especially in urban gridlock or rural areas with poor road access,” he said.
He said that Nigeria had some experience in this space through private providers like Flying Doctors Nigeria, adding that services, however, remain limited and largely inaccessible to the average citizen due to cost.
He said that air ambulances were not a standalone solution.
“They were only effective when integrated into a wider emergency care system known as a major trauma network.
“A helicopter can get a patient to a hospital faster, but if that hospital is not equipped to handle severe trauma, then the advantage is lost,” he said.
He described a major trauma network as a coordinated system that ensured patients receive the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.
According to him, it typically includes a central emergency call and dispatch system, ground and air ambulance services, designated trauma centres with specialised capacity, clear referral and transfer pathways, and rehabilitation services for recovery.
He said that rather than functioning in isolation, hospitals and emergency responders operate as part of a linked system.
“Nigeria faces a growing burden of trauma and emergency conditions, driven by high rates of road traffic accidents, delays in accessing care, and weak emergency response infrastructure.
“A well-structured trauma network can significantly reduce preventable deaths by improving coordination and response time,” he said.
He, however, said that several gaps must be addressed.
He highlighted critical issues that could limit the success of the initiative if left unresolved.
“These include the lack of a nationwide, unified emergency number, an inadequate number of fully equipped trauma centres, and a shortage of trained emergency and trauma specialists.
“There is also weak coordination between pre-hospital and hospital care, and limited infrastructure such as helipads for air ambulance landing.
“These are systemic issues. Without fixing them, air ambulances risk becoming expensive assets with limited impact,” he said.
Agbenike cited affordability as another major issue.
He said that operating air ambulances was expensive, raising concerns about who will fund the service, whether it will be covered by health insurance, and if ordinary Nigerians, not just elites, will benefit.
He emphasised the need for clear financing models, including public funding and insurance integration, to ensure equitable access.
He said that despite the challenges, the initiative presents a unique opportunity to overhaul Nigeria’s emergency care system.
“For Nigerians, the message is clear: Air ambulances are only one piece of the puzzle,” he said.
He said that the real impact would depend on whether the country could build a coordinated trauma network that supports rapid response, quality care, and equitable access.
As reforms unfold, he said sustained public engagement and expert scrutiny would be key to ensuring that the initiative delivers not just visibility, but lifesaving results.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
