The Head of Dispatch for the Ghana National Ambulance Service in the Greater Accra Region, Joyce Avadzinu, has disclosed that a critical shortage of ambulances is forcing dispatchers to ration emergency responses.
According to her, only about 42 ambulances are currently available to serve the entire region, placing significant strain on emergency services.
Ms. Avadzinu explained that due to the limited fleet, dispatchers are often compelled to hold back some ambulances for only the most severe cases.
“We are managing because, with the 42 ambulances, most of them will be on cases at the time a request comes. So, if the case is in an inter-hospital referral and the patient can wait, we will make them wait.
“As we make the dispatch, we try to keep some so that when there is a very severe emergency, like RTA, or sudden collapse, then we move them,” she said.
She added that dispatchers are constantly coordinating with ambulance stations to ensure availability for critical situations.
“So, anytime we move an ambulance, we alert the stations to be on standby. When they return then we can move them. Although this is difficult, we still have to manage with what we have,” she stated.
