By Jones Anlimah
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has clarified reports suggesting that 127 out of its 318 ambulances are grounded, describing the figure as a “dynamic operational snapshot” rather than a permanent deficit.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Service said while a portion of its fleet is undergoing maintenance and repairs, the number of temporarily unavailable ambulances fluctuates daily as vehicles move in and out of service.
Management explained that ambulances are routinely scheduled for servicing as part of standard fleet management protocols. According to the Service, some repairs are completed within hours, while others may take several days depending on the complexity of the fault and the availability of spare parts.
“The reported figure of 127 is not a permanent deficit of grounded vehicles,” the statement emphasised. “It is a variable number that constantly evolves as ambulances are returned to service and others are scheduled for maintenance.”
The NAS noted that fleet rotation and preventive maintenance are essential to ensuring the safety, reliability, and optimal performance of emergency medical vehicles. It added that keeping ambulances roadworthy protects both patients and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who operate under emergency conditions.
Despite ongoing maintenance activities, the Service assured the public that nationwide emergency response operations remain fully active. Dispatch centres, it said, continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with ambulances deployed daily to respond to medical emergencies across the country.
The Service further stressed that emergency services have not been suspended in any region and that lifesaving interventions continue nationwide.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, the NAS stated that routine maintenance should be viewed as a responsible operational measure rather than an indication of systemic breakdown.
The statement was signed by Deputy Director, Mr. Simmons Yussif Kewura.
The National Ambulance Service remains the lead state agency responsible for providing pre-hospital emergency medical care across Ghana.
