News Guide Africa

Tag: National Ambulance Service

  • Ghana secures first ever dedicated air ambulance …as Ibrahim Mahama donates private Jet to govt

    Ghana secures first ever dedicated air ambulance …as Ibrahim Mahama donates private Jet to govt

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    In a historic boost to Ghana’s emergency healthcare system, renowned businessman and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama has donated a private jet to the state to serve as the nation’s first dedicated air ambulance.

    The move, which has been widely lauded by healthcare professionals and the general public, marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize its medical response capabilities, particularly for critical care and inter-country medical transfers.

    A Lifeline in the Skies

    The aircraft, a sophisticated jet from Mr. Mahama’s private fleet, is expected to be retrofitted with state-of-the-art Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment. Once fully operational, it will provide a rapid response mechanism for transporting patients in critical condition from remote areas to specialized tertiary facilities in Accra and Kumasi, or for emergency evacuations abroad.

    Until now, Ghana has largely relied on commercial flights or ad-hoc arrangements with the Ghana Air Force for medical airlifts processes that are often subject to delays in life-or-death situations.

    Philanthropy with Purpose

    Ibrahim Mahama, the CEO of Engineers & Planners and Dzata Cement, is well-known for his large-scale philanthropic gestures. This latest donation follows a long history of health-related interventions, including his recent sponsorship of a $110,000 emergency medical flight to South Africa for a young leukemia patient and covering the full medical bills of several surgery victims.

    Speaking on the donation, sources close to the businessman noted that the gesture was born out of a desire to ensure that “no Ghanaian life is lost due to the lack of swift transportation for specialized medical care.”

    Boosting the National Ambulance Service

    The donation comes at a time when the government is seeking to integrate more technology and specialized vehicles into the National Ambulance Service (NAS). Health experts believe that a dedicated air ambulance will significantly reduce the mortality rate associated with delays in treating cardiovascular emergencies, trauma from accidents, and complications requiring immediate surgical intervention.

    “This is a game-changer for our emergency services,” a senior official at the Ministry of Health stated. “Having a dedicated plane means we are no longer at the mercy of flight schedules when a life is on the line. This is a patriotic act that sets a new standard for corporate and individual social responsibility in Ghana.”

    Reactions from the Public

    News of the donation has dominated social media discussions, with many Ghanaians praising Ibrahim Mahama for prioritizing the health sector.

    “This isn’t just a donation; it’s a gift of time and hope to families in their darkest hours,” posted one citizen on X (formerly Twitter).

    The aircraft is currently undergoing the necessary administrative and technical handover processes to the Ghana Health Service and the National Ambulance Service. It is expected to be officially commissioned and enter service in the coming weeks, signaling a new era of “healthcare in the skies” for the Ghanaian people.

     

     

     

     

  • Korle-Bu interdicts 4 staff over alleged refusal of care to hit-and-run victim

    Korle-Bu interdicts 4 staff over alleged refusal of care to hit-and-run victim

    The Management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has interdicted two medical doctors and two nurses following allegations of professional negligence and the refusal to provide emergency care to a hit-and-run victim.

    The victim, identified as Charles Amissah, tragically passed away after he was reportedly denied urgent medical attention at the facility’s Accident and Emergency Centre.

    The Incident

    According to preliminary reports, Mr. Amissah was involved in a hit-and-run accident near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the early hours of February 7, 2026. He was rushed to Korle Bu by an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team from the National Ambulance Service.

    Upon arrival, however, the medical team on duty allegedly refused to admit the patient. Witnesses and ambulance personnel reported that efforts to facilitate emergency care were met with resistance from hospital staff. Despite warnings from the EMS team that moving the patient in his unstable condition could be fatal, the staff reportedly insisted he be taken elsewhere.

    Tragedy struck shortly after, as Mr. Amissah went into cardiac arrest within the hospital premises. Although cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was eventually administered, he could not be revived and was pronounced dead.

    Hospital Management Response

    In a statement issued on Monday, February 23, 2026, the hospital’s management confirmed that the four staff members have been stepped aside to allow for a full investigation.

    “The Management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital wishes to announce that two medical doctors and two nurses have been interdicted following their alleged failure to provide emergency medical care to a hit-and-run victim,” the statement read.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, emphasized that the hospital has a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding the denial of emergency care. He further clarified that emergency services at Korle Bu do not require upfront payment, stressing that the lives of patients must always come first.

    Investigation Committee

    A formal committee has been constituted to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Amissah’s death. The committee is tasked with determining whether the staff followed the established clinical protocols and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) directives on emergency response.

    The hospital has appealed to the public and the family of the deceased for patience, promising that the process will be fair, transparent, and that any person found culpable will face the full rigors of the hospital’s disciplinary code.

    Growing Public Concern

    The incident has reignited the national conversation regarding the “no-bed syndrome” and the perceived apathy of some healthcare workers in Ghana. Public health advocates have called for stricter enforcement of the Patient’s Charter to ensure that no Ghanaian is turned away during a life-threatening emergency.

    Management of the hospital has assured the public that they remain committed to providing quality healthcare and will provide further updates once the investigative committee completes its work.