Ministry of Health Pledges Action as Ambulance Drivers Decry Exhaustion and Unfair Hours

Ambulance drivers operating across Western Uganda have called upon the Ministry of Health to urgently address deteriorating working conditions. During a recent regional capacity-building training held in Mbarara City, emergency personnel highlighted extreme exhaustion, long working hours, and the absence of medical cover as major threats to both their health and patient safety.

Speaking at the engagement, Mr. Justus Agaba, an ambulance driver attached to Kiruhura Health Center IV, described the intense physical and mental strain caused by severe staffing shortages. He noted that drivers are often forced to work around the clock without adequate rest, creating risks that could easily compromise patient outcomes. Furthermore, drivers raised concerns about lacking essential safety nets like medical insurance, leaving them financially vulnerable if they fall ill while serving on the front lines.

Mr. Joseph Ssenkumba, Head of Training at the Association of Ambulance Drivers Uganda, echoed these sentiments, pointing out technical gaps and demanding more formal pre-hospital care training. Many operators reportedly work alone through day and night shifts, stretching their capacities beyond safe limits.

Dr. John Baptist Waniaye Nambohe, the Commissioner for Emergency Medical Services at the Ministry of Health, acknowledged these operational challenges. He stated that regional engagements serve as a crucial platform to resolve driver grievances while improving their emergency response skills. However, Dr. Waniaye also sternly cautioned drivers against extorting patients through unauthorized fees, emphasizing that such actions undermine public trust in national health services.

Providing an update on national emergency infrastructure, Dr. Waniaye noted that Uganda currently operates around 480 ambulances, including 306 modern standard units procured between 2020 and 2026. With constituency-level coverage standing at 54 percent, the government has announced plans to acquire an additional 50 standard ambulances during the current financial year to strengthen emergency medical services nationwide.

Read more details in the original report on Daily Monitor.