The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has pleaded with President Nana Akufo-Addo to halt the scheduled distribution of new ambulances to all the constituencies across the country.
According to the Service, the postponement of January 6, commissioning has become necessary as “important technical issues need to be “completely addressed before the ambulances can be commissioned and dispatched to the various constituencies.”
In a letter through the Health Ministry to the President signed by Prof Ahmed N. Zakariah the CEO of NAS, said this is to “ensure efficient and effective emergency responses suffered some delays due to unforeseen circumstances.
He explained five reasons why it is he is requesting that the President postpones the commissioning and distribution of ambulances.
As part of the procurement of the 307 ambulances, the manufacturers through the Suppliers are supposed to provide user training for the ambulances and medical equipment onboard. However, this training could not take place as scheduled by the manufacturers because they could not travel to the country before the end of the year due to the holidays season, the letter stated in part.
he letter, however, said the Service had scheduled another date for the manufacturer to provide the training in reference.
The new dates scheduled for the training area in the weeks of the 13th and 20th of January 2020. This training shall comprise of the paramedics being trained on the usage of the different types of equipment in the ambulances while drivers are being trained on the operations of the new ambulances including how the dispatch and tracking systems work. It is vital to provide adequate training to staff before handing over the ambulances, Dr Zachariah requested in his letter.
