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0 The Ghana National Ambulance Service has commenced processes to procure 400 additional ambulances and 500 medical motorbikes as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response across the country.
The Service indicated that the new fleet will comprise different categories of ambulances tailored to specific medical needs.
These include paediatric ambulances, basic life support units, advanced life support vehicles, critical care ambulances and intensive care unit (ICU) ambulances.
Officials explained that the introduction of medical motorbikes is intended to help emergency personnel manoeuvre through heavy traffic, which frequently delays response efforts. The motorbikes are also expected to enhance rapid intervention in time-sensitive cases.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, March 2, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service, Dr George Kojo Owusu, said the procurement process had reached the decision-making stage.
However, he cautioned that large-scale acquisitions of this nature require extensive negotiations and due process.
“As it stands, we are going through the necessary procedures. Procuring such a significant number of ambulances involves detailed negotiations and approvals, so it would be premature to provide specific timelines. Once those are confirmed, we will inform the public,” he stated.
Dr Owusu also appealed for balanced public discourse regarding the operations of the Service, particularly in light of recent criticism in sections of the media.
While acknowledging existing operational challenges, he maintained that the institution remains functional and is not in a state of crisis.
