National Ambulance Service Debunks Negligence Claims in Viral Newborn Transfer Video

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has officially refuted allegations of negligence following the circulation of a viral video claiming the service refused to transport a newborn infant. The video suggested that the NAS declined a request to transfer the baby from Kukuom District Hospital to Goaso Government Hospital, citing a lack of oxygen. However, following a forensic audit and internal investigation concluded on February 5, 2026, the service clarified that no formal request for an ambulance was ever initiated by the Kukuom District Hospital, meaning the service was never activated to respond to the emergency.

According to the NAS, the narrative of refusal is entirely incorrect because standard operating procedures for neonatal emergency dispatch were not followed by the referring facility. The investigation confirmed that the ambulance service's dispatch system recorded no incoming calls or requests for the case in question. The NAS emphasized that it cannot be held liable for a failure to respond when the established protocols for inter-facility transfers were bypassed at the institutional level, leading to a breakdown in the emergency response chain.

The service expressed grave concern over the subsequent decision to transport the newborn in a taxi, a move they described as highly unsafe and medically risky. The NAS noted that taxis lack the specialized life-support equipment, including neonatal stabilizers and oxygen, that are standard in their ambulances. By opting for a private vehicle instead of following emergency activation protocols, the hospital staff significantly increased the health risks to the infant. The NAS condemned the practice and stressed that such actions undermine the progress made in improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes across the country.

Moving forward, the National Ambulance Service has urged all health facilities to adhere strictly to established emergency protocols to ensure patient safety and effective medical response. They reaffirmed their commitment to providing 24-hour emergency services across Ghana and called for improved coordination between hospitals and dispatch centers. This incident serves as a critical reminder to healthcare administrators that the timely activation of official emergency channels is the only way to guarantee the safe and professional transfer of patients in critical condition.