National Ambulance Service builds skills of emergency medical technicians

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has stepped up efforts to strengthen frontline emergency care with a three-day training programme aimed at improving the skills and confidence of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in using medical equipment.

The programme equips participants with practical knowledge to use emergency medical equipment effectively and provide safe, timely and appropriate care to patients.

The 2026 Equipment Training and Capacity Building Programme for EMTs in the Middle Zone was held from September 29 to October 1 at Anita Hotel, Ejisu, in the Ashanti Region, bringing together EMTs, senior NAS officials and experienced facilitators.

Opening the programme, the Chief Executive Officer of NAS, Dr (Med) George Kojo Owusu, said strengthening the Service’s operational capacity must go hand in hand with investing in the people responsible for delivering emergency care.

He said while efforts were underway to return more grounded ambulances to service, the knowledge, skills and confidence of EMTs remained equally important to ensuring effective emergency response.

Dr Owusu also updated participants on steps being taken to secure accreditation for the Paramedic and Emergency Care Training School (PECTS). He said the accreditation would enable the institution to issue recognised certificates to EMTs who complete their training.

The CEO further disclosed that NAS would engage relevant stakeholders on concerns relating to the transportation of unstable patients and work towards developing standard protocols to guide emergency care and ambulance operations.

He encouraged participants to make full use of the expertise available during the training by actively taking part in discussions, asking questions and sharing the knowledge gained with colleagues at their respective stations.

Dr Owusu also urged EMTs to recognise the limits of their professional scope and seek appropriate assistance when faced with cases requiring additional expertise.

Reinforcing the importance of the frontline workforce, he said: “Although some ambulances may currently be grounded, NAS is not grounded.”

He explained that the situation did not take away from the dedication and sacrifices of EMTs who continue to respond to emergencies and provide life-saving care to patients across the country.

The training team, led by Dr Nyame, provided an overview of the programme, while Paramedic Specialist Mohammed N. Mahama took participants through the details of the training.

Training sessions began immediately after the opening ceremony and will continue through October 1, as NAS continues to build the capacity of its workforce and strengthen the delivery of quality pre-hospital emergency care across Ghana.