Another Worker Of The National Ambulance Service Killed By Armed Robbers Today

Close to a week ago, our nation was saddened by the murder of a young military man by the name Imoro Sheriff. There was a swift and brute response by the military which brought mixed reactions. Perhaps it is to make a statement, which is quite understood.

As we continue to mourn and heap condolences on the family, news from reliable sources confirms the demise of one Sharif-Deen a young Emergency Medical Technician (trainee) with the National Ambulance Service. He was shot by armed robbers on the Kumasi Yeji Highway in the early hours of today.

The young hardworking man doubles as a part time commercial bus driver (trotro) who plies the Kumasi Yeji highway to earn his keep.

Among the several people who caught his bus today was a man with an undisclosed amount of money concealed in his bag. From reliable sources, the robbers had caught wind of the man on the bus with the money and attacked the bus on the highway and shot the driver. They have since bolted with the money. The body of the late Shariff as of now is being transferred to Salaga.

There is a saying that goes bad things come in threes. It is unfortunate that in less than a week we have lose two young men, full of energy and poised to serve their country. I pray we are not visited by a third incident.

Although this is not entirely an issue of Occupational Fatality, the trend of personnels of the National Ambulance Service losing their lives on the job to armed robbery is on the rise. A similar incident occurred in 2021. This is not a good look considering how vital and indispensable their service is to the country. Such issues should be dealt with kids gloves because it affects their motivation and service delivery.

As EMT's grapple with an unsuitable remuneration, issues of realignment on the single spine salary structure the issue of occupational fatality is too much weight to handle. With all the risks and dangers workers are exposed to on the job, there is no risk allowance to match.

The National Ambulance Service is the fastest growing public institution by far and provides timely and efficient pre- hospital care for the sick and injured before they are transferred to the hospital. This is the the bridge between the sick and the hospital and more.

It is rather interesting that a good number of people think the ambulance is a hearse when ambulances never carry dead people. Such a service is crucial and the job satisfaction of such a workforce should be a top priority to the country. I hope policy makers will give more prominence to the safety and well-being of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Long live mother Ghana and may Shariff-Deen and Imoro Sheriff rest in peace.

Dumenu Charles Selorm