Ambulance drivers at EuroLux Taxis and Ambulances in Kayl, a company associated with the Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch (CHEM) and active all throughout Luxembourg, are raising concerns about severe and recurring operational failures within the service.
Despite its mission to ensure the safe transport and care of patients, the service is reportedly plagued by defective medical equipment, inadequate first aid training, and poorly maintained vehicles. These issues, employees warn, pose significant risks to both patients and healthcare professionals. Our colleagues from RTL Infos spoke to them about their experiences.
In emergency situations, such as acute cardiac events, every second is critical. However, Shirif Chabane, a 46-year-old former ambulance driver and state-registered nurse at EuroLux, described instances where equipment failures could have had dire consequences. “The heart rate monitor […] stopped working mid-intervention, making it impossible to monitor the patient’s condition. Once, twice, three times... It’s outrageous,” said Chabane, who was on sick leave when he spoke to our colleagues and has since been dismissed.
Chabane, who began documenting his working conditions shortly after joining the service at the end of 2024, also highlighted issues with defibrillators. The electrodes, which require regular replacement, have been outdated since 2022. “It’s 2025, and we’re being asked to resuscitate patients with obsolete equipment,” he said, expressing alarm. Despite repeated reports from staff, the regulator’s only response was a stark instruction: “Recharge the device.”
Even more worrying, it appears that several employees lack essential first aid training despite having been on the job for months. “There are about five of us who don’t know how to administer first aid,” one employee disclosed to our colleagues, speaking on condition of anonymity. Despite being employed for over a year, they admitted to having yet to complete the training course. “If someone were to suffer a cardiac arrest, I wouldn’t be able to perform CPR or properly assess the situation,” they confessed. The issue is compounded by faulty equipment, further exacerbating the risks during emergencies.
The employee claims to have been hired without any relevant qualifications: “I went from salesperson* to ambulance driver, without training or qualifications.” The legal requirements regarding first aid seem to be widely disregarded, despite the vulnerable nature of the patients transported daily–many of whom have recently undergone dialysis or have pre-existing heart conditions.
“I’m supposed to know how to apply a compression bandage, but I can’t even do that,” the employee admitted. Adding to the concerns, oxygen cylinders are reportedly not regularly refilled, creating additional hazards. “They’re running low, but we’re still taking patients,” they explained, adding that refills occur approximately once a month.
*Job title changed to ensure the anonymity of the employee.
Beyond the lack of training, the condition of the emergency vehicles themselves presents a significant danger. Described as being in disrepair, these ambulances turn every mission into a high-stakes operation. “Doors get stuck, warning lights stay on permanently, and brakes sometimes fail,” recounted Chabane. He described a particularly embarrassing incident where he had to exit through the passenger door in full view of bystanders due to malfunctioning doors.
Footage verified by our colleagues shows a heart rate monitor failing during a critical moment on 2 January 2025, while a patient was experiencing bradycardia. Despite multiple reports highlighting the issue, no replacement equipment was provided.
Working conditions for paramedics are similarly dire. During night shifts, they are forced to sleep in their vehicles due to a lack of designated rest areas. “There’s no space allocated for us. My colleague slept on the front seat, while I slept on the stretcher,” Chabane explained.
In a particularly harrowing incident, a vehicle caught fire following an accident. “The fire extinguisher was out of order, but fortunately, my colleague managed to put out the flames just in time,” he recounted. Our colleagues were able to verify photos of the accident.
The issues within the ambulance service extend beyond emergency interventions, with rest areas for drivers reportedly exhibiting alarming levels of unsanitary conditions. Microwaves covered in dirt, refrigerators that fail to maintain proper hygiene standards, and almost non-existent heating systems paint a grim picture of the environment where caregivers are expected to prepare for life-saving missions. “We’re supposed to guarantee impeccable hygiene conditions for our patients, but here, we don’t even respect the basics,” former employee Axel Soares said indignantly.
Equally concerning are the protocols–or lack thereof–for vehicle and equipment maintenance. According to an ambulance driver still on duty, the disinfection process is far from adequate. “We clean the ambulances using equipment that’s stored directly on the floor. The mops are left lying around in unhygienic conditions... It’s disgraceful,” the driver lamented.
When approached for comment, both the National Health Fund (CNS) and the Ministry of Health stated they would issue a joint response regarding the findings reported by our colleagues.
Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the manager of Eurolux sent two emails to the RTL Infos editorial team. While refusing to answer their questions, the lawyer “forbade” them from publishing any article related to the matter.
