The National Ambulance Service (NAS) in the Upper East Region is grappling with a severe shortage of proper office spaces, forcing staff to use ambulances as both transport and makeshift offices.
This issue was highlighted by Awine Ali Baba, the Regional Director of NAS, during an interview on A1 Radio.
Mr. Awine expressed concerns over the dire situation in areas like Fumbiisi, where the lack of office space is most acute. Although towns such as Bolgatanga, Navrongo, and Zebilla have relatively better conditions, the overall situation remains far from ideal.
“The ambulances are not only for transporting patients but have become our offices too. This is not how it should be,” he said.
The NAS’s primary mandate is to provide emergency medical response to road accidents, sudden illnesses, and pregnancy-related complications.
However, resource constraints often force the service to handle non-emergency inter-hospital transfers, particularly for patients needing specialized care unavailable in the region.
Mr. Awine pointed out that district assemblies, responsible for providing office spaces, have been slow to act despite repeated reports.
He also praised local chiefs for their support, contrasting this with mixed responses from district executives.
Staffing remains another major challenge, with only 149 personnel operating across 17 ambulance stations, well below the required 190 staff. Some stations are forced to operate with as few as six personnel, leading to grueling 72-hour shifts.
On the state of ambulances, Mr. Awine revealed that 16 out of 17 stations have operational vehicles, with only the Pusiga ambulance grounded due to technical faults.
To ease financial burdens, the government introduced a ‘Go Card’ system in 2024, offering free ambulance services within the region, with a partial fee for services outside.
Mr. Awine called on the government and the public to support the ambulance service, emphasizing that even small contributions could significantly enhance service delivery.
“Even if it’s a telephone, just come and give it to us—it will make a difference,” he urged.
The NAS continues to operate through hospitals and the Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC), remaining a critical lifeline in emergencies despite the challenges.