The National Ambulance Service of Ghana: Changes in capacity and utilization over 20 years.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Emergency medical services (EMS) are minimally developed in many African countries. We sought to document the achievements and challenges faced by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) of Ghana during its 20-year nationwide expansion, and to understand how well it is providing access to previously unserved, remoter areas.

Methods

Data routinely collected by NAS from 2004 to 2023 were analyzed, including structure and capacity (number of stations, ambulances, employees) and utilization and process of care (number of patients served, demographics, medical conditions, response site). Per population indicators of capacity and utilization were compared across Ghana's 16 regions.

Results

From 64 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and nine ambulances in 2004, N

SUBMITTER: Zakariah AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11410463 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature