Many ambulance crew members in Ghana lack essential basic life support training. This shocking deficiency means that patients do not receive critical treatment during their journey to the hospital, according to a recent discussion on Joy FM's Ghana Connect Show.
A working paramedic revealed that some ambulance staff cannot perform basic procedures like inserting a cannula or initiating fluid resuscitation. This lack of fundamental medical skills transforms patient transport into a perilous journey where lives are lost due to inadequate care.
This situation highlights a deeper systemic problem within Ghana's healthcare infrastructure. The absence of trained personnel in ambulances directly impacts patient survival rates. It also burdens hospitals with patients in worse conditions upon arrival. This issue adds to existing concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of public health services in Ghana.
Umar Faruk Mohammed, CEO of an occupational health firm, emphasized the severity of this issue. He stated that basic life support skills, like cannulation and fluid resuscitation, are foundational medical knowledge. These skills are taught in the first and second years of nursing school. Their absence in ambulance crews is a significant gap.
The current state of emergency care demands immediate action from policymakers. Experts suggest the Ministry of Health must make basic life support training a mandatory licensing requirement for all emergency service personnel. This regulatory change would ensure a minimum standard of care. It would also improve patient outcomes significantly. Additionally, reversing the financial gravity to adequately fund primary healthcare facilities, such as CHPS compounds and polyclinics, is crucial. This would decentralize patient flow. It would also reduce the burden on major hospitals.