Nigeria’s oil and gas industry had witnessed several tragic incidents resulting in injuries and loss of life due to factors like aging infrastructure, lack of proper safety protocols, recklessness of operators, and inadequate monitoring and regulation by authorities.
Experts predict that the spate of accidents is likely to continue unless major reforms are implemented to improve safety standards in Nigeria’s oil industry.
To improve access to emergency medical care for workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry in offshore areas of the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, the firms in a statement issued by Nesto Aviation Services (NestAv) General Manager, Ehis Uadiale, to PUNCH Online on Saturday, after the launch of a regional air ambulance and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Service for the oil and gas sector, said 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.
Uadiale said the partnership is also focused on servicing in the golden hour medical emergencies occurring at remote locations across West Africa and offshore locations in Gulf of Guinea.
The statement read in part, “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.”
The statement also quoted the Chairman of Nestoil Group, Dr. Ernest Obiejesi, as saying that, “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 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 oil industry across the region.”
“ADAC HEMS Academy is proud to conclude the signing of a framework agreement with Kasi Healthcare as medical ops provider and Nest AV as flight ops provider in this groundbreaking project,” said a representative of ADAC HEMS Academy Germany.
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 organizations licensed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority both with a commitment to safety and excellence,” Medical Director, KASI, Dr Dayo Osholowu,” said.
The ceremony featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the three organisations, paving the way for the development of aeromedical capacity across more than 180 remote oil and gas locations within the Gulf of Guinea.
