NAS begins 24-hour operation to restore grounded ambulances

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has launched a 24-hour engineering operation, dubbed "Operation Restore Fleet," to restore grounded ambulances and enhance emergency response services nationwide. This initiative followed concerns over the condition of some ambulances and the aim to reduce vehicle downtime and clear unserviceable vehicles from the Service’s central workshop.

The NAS announced on Facebook that engineers and technicians are working continuously to repair ambulances that experienced major faults after six years of continuous operation. Ambulances deemed beyond economic repair will be permanently cleared and evacuated to free up space for faster repairs. Chief Executive Officer Dr (Med) George Kojo Owusu emphasized the operation's goal to significantly reduce vehicle downtime and ensure all serviceable ambulances are back on the road.

The 307 ambulances acquired in 2020 under the one-ambulance-per-constituency initiative have been continuously operated in challenging terrains for over six years, necessitating major repairs, specialized Mercedes-Benz parts, and post-accident assessments. In response, the NAS is engaging two additional qualified auto mechanics to support the existing workshop staff, currently under-resourced relative to the workload.

The NAS has also collaborated with the Ministry of Health on a comprehensive plan for sustainable spare parts procurement and the establishment of regional maintenance capacity.

Despite the challenges, Dr Owusu assured the public that all 16 regions remain operational at varying levels, continuing to respond to emergency cases through the 112 emergency line. The NAS remains committed to timely care, stating, "Timely care saves lives. We are not at rest; we are at work to ensure that when Ghanaians call 112, help will come." The NAS anticipates completing Operation Restore Fleet within the coming weeks and promises regular updates to the public.