National Ambulance Service Launches 24-Hour Operation to Fix Grounded Ambulances

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has commenced a 24-hour engineering operation to restore all grounded ambulances to full service and clear its central workshop of unserviceable vehicles.

The intervention, dubbed “Operation Restore Fleet”, is part of urgent measures instituted by Management following concerns raised about the state of some ambulances in a recent media report.

A visit to the NAS central workshop showed engineers and technicians working around the clock to repair vehicles that have developed major faults after six years of continuous operation across the country.

As part of the operation, all unserviceable ambulances that are beyond economic repair will be permanently cleared and evacuated from the workshop to decongest the facility and create space for speedy repairs.

Speaking on the exercise, the Chief Executive Officer of the Service, Dr. (Med) George Kojo Owusu, said the operation is aimed at drastically reducing vehicle downtime and ensuring that every serviceable ambulance is returned to the road.

“For over six years, the 307 ambulances procured in 2020 to ensure one ambulance per constituency have been working 24/7 on very difficult terrain. It is normal that a portion of the fleet will require major repairs, specialised Mercedes-Benz parts, and assessment after accidents. What we are doing now is working around the clock to restore them,” Dr Owusu stated.

He disclosed that to accelerate the restoration, Management is engaging two additional qualified auto mechanics to support the existing staff at the workshop, who are currently few relative to the volume of work.

He added that Management has already engaged the Ministry of Health with a comprehensive plan for sustainable spare parts procurement and the establishment of regional maintenance capacity to prevent future accumulation of grounded vehicles.

Dr Owusu assured Ghanaians that despite the challenges, all 16 regions maintain a level of functionality, remain operational and continue to respond to emergency cases daily via the 112 emergency line.

“Our commitment remains unchanged: timely care saves lives. We are not at rest; we are at work to ensure that when Ghanaians call 112, help will come,” he emphasised.

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