- Four out of six ambulances in Ahafo Region are currently nonfunctional
- Recent emergency saw a newborn transported in a private taxi with oxygen
- Ambulances in Kukuom, Kenyasi, Mim, and Goaso out of service due to engine failures or awaiting repairs
The Ahafo Region is grappling with a severe shortage of operational ambulances, with four out of six vehicles currently out of service, the Regional Administrative Manager of the National Ambulance Service, Prince Owusu Achina, has disclosed.
The revelation comes after a recent emergency in which a newborn had to be transported to a referral hospital in a private taxi equipped with oxygen because the district’s ambulance fleet was unavailable.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Achina explained that ambulances in Kukuom, Kenyasi, Mim, and Goaso are all nonfunctional due to broken engines or vehicles awaiting servicing.
“The Goaso ambulance, for instance, is currently parked at Duaywa Nkwanta after responding to an emergency. The region is relying on a Hilux vehicle and a small van for urgent cases, but these are inadequate for critical medical emergencies,” he said.
He noted that repairs are delayed because the regional workshop is congested and replacement engines are expensive, with one engine costing around 50,000 cedis.
Mr. Achina assured that the National Ambulance Service headquarters has received some spare parts and plans are underway to repair the faulty vehicles.
He also highlighted the region’s lack of essential medical infrastructure. “The whole region doesn’t even have an oxygen plant, but we are working to acquire at least a portable one,” he said, emphasizing that staff remain committed to saving lives despite limited resources.
Additionally, Mr. Achina stated that discussions with district managers, local assemblies, and other stakeholders are ongoing to secure funds for ambulance repairs and to establish a new ambulance station, which would expand the region’s fleet and improve response times.
