Ambulance Service Clarifies Grounding of 127 Vehicles

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has clarified the reported inoperability of 127 of its vehicles, saying the figure is not a permanent deficit of grounded vehicles.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, it acknowledged that a portion of the fleet is currently undergoing various levels of maintenance and repair.

It, however, added that the figure referenced represents a dynamic operational snapshot and not a fixed or permanent situation.

“Ambulances routinely move in and out of service as part of scheduled maintenance, emergency repairs, and technical servicing. Some repairs are completed within hours, while others may take several days depending on the complexity of the fault and the availability of parts. As a result, the number of ambulances temporarily unavailable fluctuates daily.”

It added, “For the avoidance of doubt and misinterpretation, the reported figure of 127 is not a permanent deficit of grounded vehicles. It is a variable number that constantly evolves as ambulances are returned to service and others are scheduled for maintenance.”

It affirmed that fleet rotation and maintenance are standard operational practices necessary to ensure safety, reliability, and optimal performance of emergency medical vehicles.

It posited that keeping ambulances roadworthy is essential to protecting both patients and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

This situation, it said, has not affected emergency services delivery as it continues to provide nationwide uninterrupted emergency response coverage with dispatch operations active 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Ambulances are being deployed daily to respond to medical emergencies across the country.”

It comes after it was reported that 127 out of the Service’s 318 ambulances are grounded.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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