Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — Nesto Aviation Services, ADAC HEMS Academy Germany and Kasi Healthcare Offshore Aeromedical Unit have collaborated to improve access to emergency medical care for workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The three firms have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to deepen collaboration to facilitate the launch of a regional helicopter ambulance to improve access to emergency medical care for workers in the oil and gas sector, in remote locations in Nigeria, West Africa and other locations in the Gulf of Guinea.
The partnership will see the three organisations pull their equipment, expertise and other interventions to provide dedicated critical care aircraft for injured personnel within the shortest timeline, which they described as Golden Hour.
The firms in a statement issued by Nesto Aviation Services (NestAv) General Manager, Ehis Uadiale, said that after the launch of a regional air ambulance and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, HEMS, for the oil and gas sector, the partnership would provide a dedicated critical care aircraft for injured personnel in the golden hour.
The service will also include transport for stroke victims, heart attack patients and traumatic injuries with complications, to those who would otherwise have limited access to emergency services in the golden hour.
According to the statement, the programme will prioritise training local doctors, nurses and paramedics, creating jobs and building long-term capacity within the region.
The partnership will also launch an Air Ambulance service, utilising a King Air Aircraft operated by NestAV equipped with advanced medical equipment and basic life support and advanced life support trained aeromedical team from Kasi Healthcare Offshore and Aeromedical Unit.
General Manager NESTAV, Mr Ehis Uadiale, while speaking during the signing of the MoU at NESTAV facility in Lagos, said the partnership could not come at a better time given that the oil and gas sector was in need of quick intervention to resolve issues of quick response to emergencies.
He said with the right partners with global experience and requisite personnel, the narrative will change. He said the partners had considered critical success indicators to drive the value chain, itemizing good equipment and personnel as key drivers to have the edge.
He noted that a good regulatory framework and adherence to global best practices would provide a template for delivery.
He also spoke of plans to extend the services to the public health sector in responding to emergency rescue services with dedicated assets at specific locations adding that training programmes were ongoing to develop capacity to respond to public safety demands.
Chairman of NestOil Group, Dr Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, described the partnership as a pathway for the development of aeromedical capacity across more than 180 remote oil and gas locations within the Gulf of Guinea.
He said NestAv has acquired a King Air aircraft equipped with advanced equipment and basic life support and an advanced team to drive its services.
He added that the partnership has secured the endorsement of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, the Ministry of Health and other regulatory authorities to change the paradigm in the response timeline for emergencies in far-flung remote oil rigs and other platforms.
“We are the largest indigenous EPCC service provider for major IOCs in Sub-Saharan Africa. This partnership represents a significant leap forward in providing critical medical care across offshore and remote locations in the Gulf of Guinea. By bringing together our collective strengths, we are establishing a world-class Air Ambulance and HEMS programme that will have a profound impact on the health and well-being of workers in the oil industry across the region,” Obiejesi said.
Also speaking during the signing event, Head of Training, ADAC HEMS Academy, Mr Philip Lex said over five decades of experience will be leveraged to add value to the deal, which he described as a game changer.
On his part, Medical Director, KASI Healthcare Offshore Aero Medical Unit, Dr. Dayo Osholowu, said the deal means well for the oil and gas industry and related sectors. He said the partnership has regulatory cover to enable the partners display their professional capacity.
He stated: “Under the agreement we are committed to establishing in Nigeria a training site linked to the ADAC HEMS Academy that is recognized by the American Heart Association training of selected AHA course formats and qualification of Nigerian instructors.
“We are also consulting on all aspects of the configuration and establishment of HEMS in Nigeria under this project. Our knowledge and experience in aeromedical training to ensure the success of this programme and empower local healthcare professionals.
“We are also proud to be working with two organisations licensed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority both with a commitment to safety and excellence.”
