Catholic Relief Services renovates six NAS offices in northern Ghana

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has completed the renovation and expansion of six National Ambulance Service (NAS) offices across northern Ghana, a move aimed at significantly boosting emergency medical response in underserved regions. The project, funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), focuses on strengthening the national referral system to ensure that patients in rural communities can access life-saving care without delay. This infrastructure upgrade is designed to specifically address the high stakes of emergency transport in areas where distance and facility quality often impact health outcomes.

The initiative is a core component of the Healthcare Outcomes through Partnership and Empowerment for Maternal and Child Health (HOPE-MCH) Project. By upgrading facilities in districts such as Talensi and Nabdam, the project addresses critical infrastructure gaps that previously hindered the efficiency of emergency services. These renovated offices provide a more functional environment for NAS personnel and improve the overall coordination of emergency transport for expectant mothers and children, ensuring that the referral chain remains unbroken from the community level to the hospital.

This latest intervention builds upon earlier efforts by CRS to modernize Ghana’s emergency medical infrastructure. In recent years, the organization has invested in advanced emergency dispatch systems and supplied additional ambulances to reach communities located in geographically difficult terrain. By integrating these physical office upgrades with existing transport and communication assets, the project seeks to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates that are frequently linked to transport delays and inadequate emergency coordination.

During the official handover ceremony, officials emphasized that timely medical referrals are essential for overcoming the unique healthcare challenges faced by residents in the northern part of the country. The partnership between CRS and the LDS Church highlights a shared commitment to improving public health outcomes through targeted infrastructure development. The expanded offices are expected to serve as vital hubs for the National Ambulance Service as it continues to expand its reach into Ghana’s most remote and hard-to-reach areas.