Rural-urban disparities in Emergency Medical Services: a qualitative study of barriers and opportunities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Key Points

• Barriers to emergency medical services highlight significant rural-urban disparities in access and quality.
• A qualitative study collected insights from various stakeholders to identify key challenges and opportunities.
• Focus groups revealed that travel distance and lack of facilities are major barriers to effective healthcare delivery.
• Findings suggest that addressing these disparities can improve emergency response and ultimately save lives.