National Ambulance Service Act, 2020 Act 1041

NATIONAL AMBULANCE SERVICE ACT, 2020 (ACT 1041)
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
The National Ambulance Service
1. Establishment of the National Ambulance Service
2. Membership of the Service
3. Object of the Service
4. Functions of the Service
Governance of the Service
5. Governing body of the Service
6. Duties and liabilities of a member of the Board
7. Tenure of office of members of the Board
8. Meetings of the Board
9. Disclosure of interest
10. Establishment of committees
11. Allowances
12. Policy directives
National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
13. Establishment of National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
14. Membership of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
15. Functions of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
16. Tenure of office of members of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory
Committee
17. Meetings of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
Administrative Provisions
18. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer
19. Functions of Chief Executive Officer
20. Deputy Chief Executive Officers
21. Appointment of other staff of the Service
22. Secretary to the Board
23.

Functions of Chief Executive Officer
20. Deputy Chief Executive Officers
21. Appointment of other staff of the Service
22. Secretary to the Board
23.

Divisions and units of the Service
1

24. Regional and district offices of the Service
25. Internal Audit Unit
Finances of the Service
26. Funds of the Service
27. Bank accounts of the Service
28. Expences of the Service
29. Accounts and audit
30. Annual report and other reports
Offences and Penalties
31. General offences
32. Improper use of the seal of the Service
33. Unauthorised collection of moneys or soliciting of property
Miscellaneous Provisions
34. Inter-regional assistance at accident or disaster scene
35. Modification of existing enactments
36. Regulations
37. Interpretation
38. Transitional provisions
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE
Ambulance Services
SECOND SCHEDULE
Official Seal and Emblem of the National Ambulance Service
2

n
38. Transitional provisions
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE
Ambulance Services
SECOND SCHEDULE
Official Seal and Emblem of the National Ambulance Service
2

ACT 1041
REPUBLIC OF GHANA
THE ONE THOUSAND AND FORTY-FIRST
ACT
OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
ENTITLED
NATIONAL AMBULANCE SERVICE ACT, 2020
AN ACT to establish the National Ambulance Service to provide for the effective and
efficient administration and management of emergency care services and to provide for
related matters. DATE OF ASSENT: 29th December, 2020. PASSED by Parliament and assented to by the President
The National Ambulance Service
Section 1—Establishment of the National Ambulance Service
(1) There is established by this Act the National Ambulance Service as a body corporate. (2) For the performance of the functions of the Service, the Service may acquire and hold
property, dispose of property and enter into a contract or any other related transaction. (3) Where there is hindrance to the acquisition of land, the land may be acquired for the
Service under the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) and the cost shall be borne by the Service. Section 2—Membership of the Service
The Service consists of—
(a) persons in the employment of the Service; and
(b) any other persons employed for the Service.

2—Membership of the Service
The Service consists of—
(a) persons in the employment of the Service; and
(b) any other persons employed for the Service.

Section 3—Object of the Service
The object of the Service is to provide for the effective administration and management of
emergency care services nationwide. 3

Object of the Service
The object of the Service is to provide for the effective administration and management of
emergency care services nationwide. 3

Section 4—Functions of the Service
For the purpose of achieving the object under section 3, the Service shall—
(a) establish a mechanism for the provision of ambulance services in the country;
(b) ensure the provision of a twenty-four hour access to ambulance services;
(c) ensure the provision of timely emergency care services for persons involved in
accidents, disasters and any other emergencies:
(d) establish mechanisms for the training of staff and other personnel to enable the staff or
personnel obtain the requisite skills and competence for providing emergency care services;
(e) collaborate with the relevant agencies—
(i) involved in providing emergency care services for purposes of national disaster planning;
and
(ii) to co-ordinate volunteer first aid groups in the event of major emergencies and disasters;
(f) with the approval of the Minister for Finance, given in consultation with the Minister
determine charges for services rendered by the Service;
(g) adopt internationally accepted norms, standards and quality management systems to
cover the areas of work of the Service;
(h) advise the Minister on matters relevant to the object of the Service;
(i) manage the assets of the Service to ensure the effective and efficient use of the assets;
(j) in collaboration with other agencies determined by the Board, ensure emergency care
services, recruitment and training of emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other
support staff to man ambulance stations across the country; and
(k) perform any other function that is ancillary to the object of the Service.

d other
support staff to man ambulance stations across the country; and
(k) perform any other function that is ancillary to the object of the Service.

Governance of the Service
Section 5—Governing body of the Service
(1) The governing body of the Service is a Board consisting of (a) a chairperson with
experience in management and administration;
(b) one representative of the Ministry responsible for Health not below the rank of a Director
who has skills and competence in emergency related services, nominated by the Minister;
(c) one representative of the following institutions with background in emergency care
services:
(i) the Ghana National Fire Service not below the rank of a Deputy Chief Fire Officer,
nominated by the Chief Fire Officer;
(ii) the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development not below the rank of a
Director, nominated by the Minister responsible for Local Government and Rural
Development;
4

Government and Rural Development not below the rank of a
Director, nominated by the Minister responsible for Local Government and Rural
Development;
4

(iii) the Police Service not below the rank of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, nominated
by the Inspector-General of Police; and
(iv) the Ghana Armed Forces not below the rank of a Colonel, nominated by the Chief of
Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces;
(d) one emergency medical technician in the Service, nominated by the Service;
(e) one representative of the Faculty of Emergency Medicine of the Ghana College of
Physicians and Surgeons not below the rank of a Fellow nominated by the Minister;
(f) the Chief Executive Officer of the Service;
(g) one representative of the National Disaster Management Organisation not below the rank
of a Director, nominated by the Director-General;
(h) one representative of the Ghana Red Cross Society not below the rank of a Director or
the equivalent, nominated by the President of the Ghana Red Cross Society; and
(i) two other persons, one of whom is a woman, nominated by the Minister. (2) The President shall, in accordance with article 70 of the Constitution, appoint the
chairperson and other members of the Board. (3) The Board shall ensure the effective and efficient performance of the functions of the
Service.

nt the
chairperson and other members of the Board. (3) The Board shall ensure the effective and efficient performance of the functions of the
Service.

Section 6—Duties and liabilities of a member of the Board
(1) A member of the Board has the same fiduciary relationship with the Service and the same
duty to act with loyalty and in good faith as a director of a company incorporated under the
Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992). (2) Without limiting subsection (1), a member of the Board has a duty
(a) to act honestly in the performance of the functions of that member;
(b) to exercise the degree of care and diligence in the performance of the functions of that
member;
(c) to avoid making improper use of information acquired by virtue of the position of that
member so as to benefit that member or be detrimental to the Service; and
(d) not to abuse the position of the office. (3) A member of the Board who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is
liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than three thousand penalty units and not
more than six thousand penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not less than five years
and not more than ten years or to both.

nalty units and not
more than six thousand penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not less than five years
and not more than ten years or to both.

(4) Where a court determines that the Service has suffered loss or damage as a consequence
of the act or omission of a member of the Board, the court may, in addition to imposing a
fine, order the person convicted to pay appropriate compensation to the Service. Section 7—Tenure of office of members of the Board
5

on to imposing a
fine, order the person convicted to pay appropriate compensation to the Service. Section 7—Tenure of office of members of the Board
5

(1) A member of the Board shall hold office for a term of four years and is eligible for re
appointment for another term only. (2) Subsection (1) Joes not apply to the Chief Executive Officer and a person who is a
member of the Board by reason of the office of that person. (3) A member of the Board may, at any time, resign from office in writing addressed to the
President through the Minister. (4) A member of the Board, other than the Chief Executive Officer, who is absent from three
consecutive meetings of the Board without sufficient cause ceases to be a member of the
Board. (5) The President may, by a letter addressed to a member, revoke the appointment of the
member. (6) Where a member of the Board is, for a sufficient reason, unable to act as a member, the
Minister shall determine whether the inability of the member to act would result in a
declaration of a vacancy.

reason, unable to act as a member, the
Minister shall determine whether the inability of the member to act would result in a
declaration of a vacancy.

(7) Where there is a vacancy
(a) under subsection (3), (4) or (5) or subsection (2) of section 9,
(b) as a result of a declaration under subsection (6), or
(c) by reason of the death of a member,
the Minister shall notify the President of the vacancy and the President shall appoint a person
to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Section 8—Meetings of the Board
(1) The Board shall meet at least once every three months for the conduct of business at a
time and place determined by the chairperson. (2) The quorum at a meeting of the Board is seven members. (3) The chairperson shall, at the request in writing of not less than one-third of the
membership of the Board, convene an extraordinary meeting of the Board at a time and place
determined by the chairperson. (4) The chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Board, and in the absence of the
chairperson, a member of the Board elected by the members present from among their
number shall preside. (5) A matter before the Board shall be decided by a majority of the members present and
voting and in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote.

l be decided by a majority of the members present and
voting and in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote.

(6) The Board may co-opt a person to attend a meeting of the Board but that person shall not
vote on a matter for a decision at the meeting. (7) The proceedings of the Board shall not be invalidated by reason of a vacancy among the
members or a defect in the appointment or qualification of a member. 6

ceedings of the Board shall not be invalidated by reason of a vacancy among the
members or a defect in the appointment or qualification of a member. 6

(8) The Board shall, subject to this section, determine the procedure for the meetings of the
Board. Section 9—Disclosure of interest
(1) A member of the Board who has an interest in a matter for consideration
(a) shall disclose, in writing, the nature of that interest and the disclosure shall form part of
the record of the consideration of the matter; and
(b) is disqualified from being present at, or participating in, the deliberations of the Board in
respect of that matter. (2) A memeber[sic] ceases to be a member of the Board, if that member has an interest in a
matter before the Board and
(a) fails to disclose that interest, or
(b) is present at, or participates in, the deliberations of the Board in respect of that matter. (3) Without limiting any further cause of action that may be instituted against a member, the
Board shall recover any benefit derived by a member who contravenes subsection (1) in
addition to the revocation of the appointment of the member. (4) A member of the Board who fails to disclose an interest in a matter for consideration by
the Board is liable to pay compensation to the Service for any loss incurred.

Board who fails to disclose an interest in a matter for consideration by
the Board is liable to pay compensation to the Service for any loss incurred.

Section 10—Establishment of committees
(1) The Board may establish committees consisting of members of the Board or non
members of the Board or both, to perform a function of the Board. (2) Section 9 applies to a member of a committee of the Board. (3) A committee of the Board may be chaired by a member of the Board and the Board may
direct the manner in which a committee may carry out its task and the period for the meetings
of the committee. (4) The Board shall establish the National Ambulance Technical Advisory Committee. (5) A committee shall regulate the procedure for the meetings of the committee. Section 11—Allowances
A member of the Board and a member of a committee of the Board shall be paid allowances
approved by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance. Section 12—Policy directives
The Minister may give directives on matters of policy to the Board and the Board shall
comply. National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
Section 13—Establishment of National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
The Board shall establish the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee. 7

nt of National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
The Board shall establish the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee. 7

Section 14—Membership of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
(1) The members of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
comprise
(a) a member of the Board, who shall be the chairperson;
(b) the Chief Executive Officer;
(c) a medical educator, nominated by the Minister;
(d) a public health specialist nominated by the Minister;
(e) an Emergency Medical Technician, nominated by the Minister;
(f) an emergency physician, nominated by the Medical and Dental Council;
(g) an emergency nurse, nominated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council;
(h) a representative of the National Disaster Management Organisation, not below the rank
of a Director, nominated by the Director-General;
(i) one representative of the Police Service, not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner
of Police, nominated by the Inspector-General of Police;
(j) one representative of the Ghana Armed Forces, not below the rank of Lt. Colonel,
nominated by the Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces; and;
(k) one representative of the Ghana National Fire Service, not below the rank of Assistant
Chief Fire Officer, nominated by the Chief Fire Officer.

d;
(k) one representative of the Ghana National Fire Service, not below the rank of Assistant
Chief Fire Officer, nominated by the Chief Fire Officer.

(2) The members of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee shall be
appointed by the Board. (3) The Chief Executive Officer shall designate an officer of the Service as secretary to the
National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee. Section 15—Functions of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
(1) The National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee shall
(a) advise the Board on technical matters relating to the functions of the Service;
(b) make recommendations for the training of staff and other personnel of the Service; and
(c) provide technical guidance on the provision of timely emergency care services. Tenure of office of members of the National Ambulance Service
Section 16—Technical Advisory Committee
(1) A member of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee shall hold
office for a term of four years and is eligible for re-appointment for another term only. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who is a member of the National Ambulance
Service Technical Advisory Committee by reason of the office of that person. 8

1) does not apply to a person who is a member of the National Ambulance
Service Technical Advisory Committee by reason of the office of that person. 8

(3) A member of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee may, at
any time, resign from office in writing addressed to the Board. (4) A member of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee who is
absent from three consecutive meetings of the National Ambulance Service Technical
Advisory Committee without sufficient cause ceases to be a member of the National
Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee. (5) The Board may, by a letter addressed to a member, revoke the appointment of the
member. (6) Where a member of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee is,
for a sufficient reason, unable to act as a member, the Board shall determine whether the
inability may result in the declaration of a vacancy. (7) Where there is a vacancy
(a) under subsection (3) or (4) or subsection (2) of section 9;
(b) as a result of a declaration under subsection (6); or
(c) by reason of the death of a member,
the Board shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

laration under subsection (6); or
(c) by reason of the death of a member,
the Board shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

Section 17—Meetings of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
(1) The members of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee shall
meet at least once every three months for the conduct of business at a time and in a place
determined by the chairperson. (2) The chairperson shall, at the requst[sic] in writing of not less than one-third of the
membership of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee, convene an
extraordinary meeting of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee at
a time and place determined by the chairperson. (3) The quorum at a meeting of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory
Committee is five members. (4) The chairperson shall preside at meetings of the National Ambulance Service Technical
Advisory Committee and in the absence of the chairperson, a member of the National
Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee, other than the Chief Executive Officer,
elected by the members present from among their number shall preside.

ce Service Technical Advisory Committee, other than the Chief Executive Officer,
elected by the members present from among their number shall preside.

(5) Matters before the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee shall be
decided by a majority of the members present and voting and in the event of an equality of
votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote. (6) The National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee may co-opt a person to
attend a meeting of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee but that
person shall not vote on a matter for decision at the meeting. 9

end a meeting of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee but that
person shall not vote on a matter for decision at the meeting. 9

(7) The validity of proceedings of the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory
Committee shall not be affected by a vacancy among the members or by a defect in the
appointment or qualification of a member. (8) Subject to this section, the National Ambulance Service Technical Advisory Committee
shall determine the procedure for the meetings of the National Ambulance Service Technical
Advisory Committee. Administrative Provisions
Section 18—Appointment of Chief Executive Officer
(1) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint a person
with considerable knowledge and experience in emergency care services as the Chief
Executive Officer of the Service. (2) A Chief Executive Officer shall hold office on the terms and conditions specified in the
letter of appointment. Section 19—Functions of Chief Executive Officer
(1) A Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the
(a) day-to-day administration of the Service; and
(b) execution of the policies and decisions of the Board.

f Executive Officer is responsible for the
(a) day-to-day administration of the Service; and
(b) execution of the policies and decisions of the Board.

(2) The Chief Executive Officer may delegate a function to a senior officer of the Service but
shall not be relieved of the ultimate responsibility for the performance of the delegated
function. Section 20—Deputy Chief Executive Officers
(1) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint two
Deputy Chief Executive Officers for the Service; one in charge of Operations and the other in
charge of General Services. (2) A Deputy Chief Executive Officer shall hold office on the terms and conditions specified
in the letter of appointment. (3) A Deputy Chief Executive Officer shall
(a) assist the Chief Executive Officer in the performance of the functions of the Chief
Executive Officer, and
(b) perform such other functions that may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer. (4) A Deputy Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Chief Executive Officer in the
performance of functions under this Act. (5) The senior Deputy Chief Executive officer shall act in the absence of the Chief Executive
Officer. Section 21—Appointment of other staff of the Service
10

senior Deputy Chief Executive officer shall act in the absence of the Chief Executive
Officer. Section 21—Appointment of other staff of the Service
10

(1) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint other staff
and employees that are necessary for effective and efficient performance of the functions of
the Service. Section 22—Secretary to the Board
(1) The Chief Executive Officer shall designate an officer of the Service as Secretary to the
Board. (2) The Secretary to the Board is responsible for arranging the business for the meetings of
the Board and keeping the records of the meetings of the Board. (3) The Secretary to the Board shall have custody of all records and other documents
belonging or presented to the Service which shall be open for inspection under such
arrangements as may be directed by the Board. Section 23—Divisions and units of the Service
(1) The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, establish divisions and units within the
Service that the Board considers necessary for the effective and efficient performance of the
functions of the Service.

divisions and units within the
Service that the Board considers necessary for the effective and efficient performance of the
functions of the Service.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Board shall establish the following divisions at the
headquarters:
(a) Operations Division;
(b) Finance Division;
(c) Procurement and Supplies Division;
(d) Human Resource Management and Administration Division; and
(e) Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division. Section 24—Regional and district offices of the Service
(1) The Service may have regional and district offices of the Service. (2) An office of the Service located in a region shall be headed by a Regional Director. (3) A Regional Director is responsible for the implementation of the policies and decisions
of the Board in the region. (4) An office of the Service located in a district shall be headed by a District Director. (5) A District Director is responsible for the implementation of the policies and decisions of
the Board in the district. Section 25—Internal Audit Unit
(1) The Service shall have an Internal Audit Unit in accordance with section 83 of the Public
Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). (2) The Internal Audit Unit shall be headed by an Internal Auditor who shall be appointed in
accordance with the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658). 11

Internal Audit Unit shall be headed by an Internal Auditor who shall be appointed in
accordance with the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658). 11

(3) The Internal Auditor is responsible for the internal audit of the Service. (4) The Internal Auditor shall, to subject to subsections (3) and (4) of section 16 of the
Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658), at intervals of three months
(a) prepare and submit to the Board, a report on the internal audit carried out during the
period of three months immediately preceding the preparation of the report; and
(b) make recommendations in each report, with respect to matters which appear to the
Internal Auditor as necessary for the conduct of the affairs of the Service. (5) The Internal Auditor shall, in accordance with subsection (4) of section 16 of the Internal
Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658), submit a copy of each report prepared under this section
to the Chief Executive Officer and the chairperson of the Board.

Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658), submit a copy of each report prepared under this section
to the Chief Executive Officer and the chairperson of the Board.

Finances of the Service
Section 26—Funds of the Service
(1) The funds of the Service include
(a) moneys provided by Parliament;
(b) a percentage of moneys accruing to the National Insurance Commission in respect of
insurance stickers for motor insurance as determined on an annual basis by the National
Insurance Commission and the Ghana Insurers Association in consultation with the Service;
(c) moneys from the National Health Insurance Authority in accordance with the formula
determined by Parliament;
(d) internally generated funds;
(e) donations, grants and gifts;
(f) moneys derived from investments; and
(g) any other moneys approved by the Minister responsible for Finance. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (1), the Service, the National Insurance
Commission and the Ghana Insurers Association shall meet annually for the review of
(a) the cost of insurance stickers determined for motor insurance; and
(b) the beneficiaries of moneys accruing to the National Insurance Commission in respect of
insurance stickers for motor Insurance.

tor insurance; and
(b) the beneficiaries of moneys accruing to the National Insurance Commission in respect of
insurance stickers for motor Insurance.

Section 27—Bank account of the Service
The moneys for the Service shall be paid into a bank account opened with the approval of the
Controller and Accountant-General. Section 28—Expenses of the Service
The expenses of the Service shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund. Section 29—Accounts and audit
12

t-General. Section 28—Expenses of the Service
The expenses of the Service shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund. Section 29—Accounts and audit
12

(1) The Board shall keep books of accounts, records, returns and other documents relevant to
the accounts in the form approved by the Auditor-General. (2) The Board shall, at the end of the financial year, submit the accounts of the Service to the
Auditor-General for audit. (3) The Auditor-General shall, within six months after the end of the immediately preceding
financial year, audit the accounts and forward a copy each of the audit report to the Board and
the Minister. (4) The financial year of the Service shall be the same as the financial year of Government. Section 30—Annual report and other reports
(1) The Board shall, within thirty days after the receipt of the audit report, submit an annual
report to the Minister covering the activities and the operations of the Service for the year to
which the report relates. (2) The annual report shall include the report of the Auditor-General. (3) The Minister shall, within thirty days after the receipt of the annual report from the Board,
submit the report to Parliament with a statement that the Minister considers necessary. (4) The Board shall also submit to the Minister any other report which the Minister may
require in writing.

ent that the Minister considers necessary. (4) The Board shall also submit to the Minister any other report which the Minister may
require in writing.

Offences and Penalties
Section 31—General offences
(1) A person, other than a member of the Service, who performs any of the ambulance
services specified in the First Schedule in the name of the Service, commits an offence and is
liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units
and not more than one thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than
one year and not more than three years, or to both. (2) A person who,
(a) without the approval in writing of the Chief Executive Officer,
(i) uses the words "National Ambulance Service" or any similar name, title or description;
(ii) inscribes on any vehicle the words "National Ambulance Service";
(iii) inscribes on any other property that is not owned by the Service the words "National
Ambulance Service"; or
(iv) uses any insignia of the Service in a manner contrary to the prescribed manner; or
(b) inscribes on a vehicle, letters or marks which signify or may reasonably lead any other
person to believe that the vehicle is used for the provision of ambulance services by the
Service,
13

s which signify or may reasonably lead any other
person to believe that the vehicle is used for the provision of ambulance services by the
Service,
13

commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one
hundred penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units or to a term of
imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than twenty-four months, or to both. (3) A person who knowingly makes a false representation that certain circumstances exist
that require the use of any of the resources of the Service commits an offence and is liable on
summary conviction to a fine of not less than fifty penalty units and not more than two
hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three months and
not more than twelve months, or to both. (4) A person who obstructs or hinders an officer, agent or employee of the Service in the
performance of a duty under this Act commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than one
thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more
than three years, or to both.

y units and not more than one
thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more
than three years, or to both.

(5) A person who makes a false call commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction
to a fine of not less than fifty penalty units and not more than two hundred and fifty penalty
units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three months and not more than twelve
months, or to both. Section 32—Improper use of the seal of the Service
(1) The official seal and emblem of the Service shall be as set out in the Second Schedule. (2) A person shall not, without the approval of the Board, use the official seal and emblem of
the Service. (3) A person who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine of not less than one hundred penalty units and not more than five hundred
penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than two
years, or to both.

y units and not more than five hundred
penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than two
years, or to both.

Section 33—Unauthorised collection of moneys or soliciting of property
(1) A person, other than a person authorised by the Board, shall not conduct, take part in,
direct or organise the collection or soliciting of moneys or any other property from a member
of the public or from an institution for the purpose of the provision of ambulance services
provided by the Service. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than one
thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more
than three years, or to both. Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 34—Inter-regional assistance at accident or disaster scene
(1) A member of the Service
(a) who assists at an accident or disaster scene in a particular region, and
14

l assistance at accident or disaster scene
(1) A member of the Service
(a) who assists at an accident or disaster scene in a particular region, and
14

(b) whose duty station is located in a region other than the region in which assistance is
given under paragraph (a), is answerable to the officer-in-charge of the area of the accident or
disaster scene. (2) Where there is no officer-in-charge at an accident or disaster scene, the member of the
Service who assists at that scene shall
(a) exercise the powers of an authorised officer under this Act, and
(b) control and direct all persons who assist at the scene. (3) A member of the Service who controls or directs affairs in the absence of an officer-in-
charge at an accident or disaster scene, shall provide the Chief Executive Officer through the
Regional Director of the respective region and the Regional Director of the region in which
the duty station of that member is located, with the report on duties and activities related to
the accident or disaster.

ector of the region in which
the duty station of that member is located, with the report on duties and activities related to
the accident or disaster.

Section 35—Modification of existing enactments
The provisions of an enactment of relevance to this Act and in force at the coming into force
of this Act shall have effect subject to the modifications necessary to give effect to this Act
and to the extent that where the provisions of an enactment are inconsistent with this Act, the
provisions of this Act shall prevail. Section 36—Regulations
(1) The Minister may, on the recommendations of the Board, by legislative instrument, make
Regulations
(a) to prescribe reserved ambulance services which the Service may provide;
(b) to prescribe modalities for effective surveillance of accidents, emergencies and
disasters;
(c) to provide for pre-hospital care services;
(d) to provide for the conditions of service of members of the Service;
(e) to provide for discipline of members of the Service; and
(f) to provide for any other matter necessary for the effective and efficient implementation
of this Act. (2) The Civil Service Regulations, 1960 (L.I. 47) applicable to the members of the Civil
Service shall apply to members of the Service until Regulations are made for the Service
under subsection (1).

applicable to the members of the Civil
Service shall apply to members of the Service until Regulations are made for the Service
under subsection (1).

Section 37—Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
"ambulance services" mean services specified in the First Schedule;
"ambulance service provider" means a practitioner who provides the services specified in the
First Schedule and for purposes of this Act;
15

Schedule;
"ambulance service provider" means a practitioner who provides the services specified in the
First Schedule and for purposes of this Act;
15

"ambulance station" means an area designated for
(a) the employees of the Service for purposes of work and residency, and
(b) ambulance vehicles and related medical equipment;
"Board" means the governing body of the Service established under section 5;
"emergency" means a serious event or situation resulting in injury or ailment of a person and
requiring immediate pre-hospital care treatment including the transport of a person to a health
care centre;
"emergency medical technician" means a paramedical personnel who is trained to provide
basic emergency medical care and life support to a sick or an injured person until definitive
medical treatment can be assessed;
"first aid group" means an identified number of trained persons with a similar mission who
provide limited care for sick or injured persons until definitive medical treatment can be
accessed, or until the illness or injury is dealt with by a medical officer;
"first responder" means a person who after a prescribed course in training in first aid and pre
hospital care delivery, volunteers to offer and render ambulance services;
"healthcare centre" means a facility where prevention, treatment and management of illness
and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by
medical, nursing and allied health professionals are provided;
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for Health;
"officer-in-charge" means the person who, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer,
is for the time being in charge at an accident or disaster scene;
"paramedic" means an advanced provider of emergency care services who is trained to
manage a person who is ill or injured for purposes of stabilising that person before that
person is taken to the hospital;
"practitioner" means a person registered under this Act to practice pre-hospital care service;
"pre-hospital care service" means the services provided prior to handing over to a health
institution;
"Regulations" mean the Regulations made under this Act; and
"Service" means the National Ambulance Service established under section 1.

h
institution;
"Regulations" mean the Regulations made under this Act; and
"Service" means the National Ambulance Service established under section 1.

Section 38—Transitional provisions
(1) The total sum of money located in any bank immediately before the coming into force of
this Act which constitutes moneys intended for purposes related to ambulance services is
hereby transferred to the Service. (2) The assets or property held for or on behalf of or for the purposes of the Service
immediately before the coming into force of this Act is vested in the Service established
under this Act. 16

alf of or for the purposes of the Service
immediately before the coming into force of this Act is vested in the Service established
under this Act. 16

(3) A contract subsisting between the Service and any other person before the coming into
force of this Act shall subsist between the Service established under this Act and that other
person. (4) A person in the employment of the Service in existence immediately before the coming
into force of this Act is deemed to have been employed by the Service established under this
Act on the terms and conditions attached to the post held by that person before the coming
into force of this Act. SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE
(sections 31(1) and 37)
Ambulance Services
The following constitute ambulance services:
1. Care to the sick and injured in the nature of
(a) response to an emergency call within the stipulated time target;
(b) assessment of injury or illness of a person and provision of care;
(c) safe removal of a person from an emergency situation and transportation of that person
to a health facility as directed by a medical director or control room; and
(d) transportation of a person to or from a hospital and any other health care facility. 2.

ity as directed by a medical director or control room; and
(d) transportation of a person to or from a hospital and any other health care facility. 2.

Ensuring public safety by
(a) standing by during public gatherings or call duties;
(b) the provision of public information, education and training on safety measures to be
undertaken in emergency or disaster situations;
(c) the provision of public information, education and training on measures to prevent or
minimise personal injury or illness in non-emergency situations; and
(d) the protection of a person from injury or death whether or not that person is sick or
injured. 3. Ensuring disaster management by
(a) the provision of communication linkage with control rooms of the Service, hospitals and
other agencies involved in disaster management,
(b) the provision of emergency care and ambulance services during a disaster;
(c) twenty-four hour standby service to respond to 193 and other Emergency calls;
(d) pre-hospital care during emergency response;
(e) transportation of patients to and from hospital;
(f) provision of services for public and private gatherings;
17

l care during emergency response;
(e) transportation of patients to and from hospital;
(f) provision of services for public and private gatherings;
17

(g) training of Emergency Medical Technicians;
(h) training of First Responders;
(i) promotion of training for health professionals in life support courses;
(j) promotion of first aid training to the general public; and
(k) provision of reliable and timely information for effective ambulance operation
countrywide.
SECOND SCHEDULE
(section 32(1))
Official Seal and Emblem of the National Ambulance Service
Date of Gazette Notification: 29th December, 2020.
18