By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, unveiled 10 newly acquired Motorcycle Response Unit, MRU, Ambulances, popularly referred to as “Ambulance Bikes”
The bikes were handed over to the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, in a move aimed at cutting down emergency response times and strengthening pre-hospital care delivery across the state.
The motorcycles, specially fitted with medical equipment, are designed to navigate Lagos’ heavy traffic, narrow inner roads, and other hard-to-reach areas, allowing paramedics to reach victims faster in situations where every second is critical.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, described the initiative as a bold step in tackling the peculiar challenges of emergency care in a mega city like Lagos.
“These Ambu-bikes are Lagos’ response to our unique traffic situation. They will reach patients faster than conventional ambulances, deliver immediate treatment, and, where necessary, call in larger ambulance units for evacuation.
“This saves precious time and ultimately saves more lives,” Ogunyemi said.
She explained that each of the 220cc superbikes is equipped with vital life-saving tools, including sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes, pulse oximeters, nebulizer machines, glucometers, automated external defibrillators, AEDs, oxygen kits, radios, sirens, and specialized protective gear for the riders.
According to her, trained paramedics will man the units, delivering first aid and basic life support in cases such as collapses, bleeding, or respiratory distress, pending the arrival of full-scale ambulances.
“These bikes have almost everything except a bed. Our paramedics can administer CPR, control bleeding, give IV fluids, and stabilize patients on the spot,” she noted.
Ogunyemi added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s prompt approval of the project under the THEMES+ agenda stresses his administration’s commitment to healthcare innovation.
“Once the proposal was presented with data, Mr Governor immediately approved it. This is another first in Nigeria, Lagos once again setting the pace,” she remarked.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, said the rollout is part of the state’s five-year roadmap to transform pre-hospital emergency services. He revealed that Lagos has already invested in mobile intensive care units, a boat ambulance, and plans are underway to integrate air ambulances into the system.
“The concept is simple: bikes beat the traffic, paramedics intervene immediately, and ambulances take over for evacuation.
“This seamless system reduces mortality rates and increases survival chances,” Ogboye said, stressing that the MRUs are fully integrated into LASAMBUS’ communication and data network for coordinated dispatch.
Also speaking, the Director of LASAMBUS, Mrs Beatrice Makinde, described the development as a “game-changer” for emergency services in Lagos.
“For years, traffic gridlock has slowed our response efforts. With these ambulance bikes, we can now reach victims in record time, improve survival chances, and provide Lagosians with the emergency service they deserve,” she said.
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