The National Sports Authority (NSA) has complained about what it said is the reluctance of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to respond to emergencies at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium during sporting events.
[contextly_sidebar id=”AVfcLpndkHvBfc4Og3R6pwK2ed9qfLhT”]The Ashanti Regional Director of Sports, Ewuntomah Richard Iddrisu disclosed that the Service is demanding that the Sports Authority must provide them with fuel and other items before they will render their services.
A copy of a letter written and signed by the Ashanti Regional Coordinator of the Ambulance Service, Dr. Andah Nacauley listed a number of demands including fuel, per diem, gloves, gauze bandage and pack, plaster, food and water.
But Iddrisu said they find the situation quite disturbing considering the fact that accidents are bound to happen at sporting events.
According to him, the emergency service provider does not have any excuse to stay away from football matches, tennis, athletes, boxing and other sporting competitions.
The NAS had since November last year, refused to send ambulances to respond to emergencies at the Stadium, insisting that, its services would only be available after some specific demands had been met.
The Sports Director described the demands as ridiculous, pointing out that, the NAS has a duty to provide essential services at all sporting events at the Stadium.
“They are by law supposed to release ambulances unconditionally to provide services at the stadia, particularly at the Baba Yara and Accra Stadia.”
The Sports Authority has therefore taken it upon itself to provide bays at the two Stadia purposely for the ambulance services.
Iddrisu said the NSA had informed the National Security and management of Asante Kotoko of the development and asked that alternative arrangements for ambulance services be made during the coming events.
Source: GNA