Public Transport as an Alternative Mode of Transport During Health Emergencies and the Spread of Infectious Diseases in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA)

Emergency medical transportation services in the developing world, including Sub-Saharan Africa, face numerous challenges. These include insufficient resources, such as vehicles, limited staff and equipment, and poor communication and transportation networks. Consequently, people often rely on private and public transport, like taxis, during emergency health situations. However, it is uncertain whether these vehicles adhere to standard disinfection protocols afterward, potentially exposing subsequent passengers and drivers to infectious diseases. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the relationship between public transport and the spread of infectious diseases in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). Respondents were selected from households, health facilities, and drivers across high-, middle-, and low-income areas in GAMA. The findings indicate that taxis are frequently used during emergencies, but drivers often fail to employ proper cleaning methods, putting passengers at risk. The study also reveals that while residents are aware of the risks associated with public transport and infectious diseases, both the public and authorities have come to accept it as an “acceptable risk” due to the ineffectiveness of the ambulance service in Ghana. To mitigate this risk, the study proposes both short-term and long-term recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the Ghana Ambulance Service (GAS).