The doctor told us Danre had heart and liver failure and that we needed to get her to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, in Johannesburg, ASAP.
Not having a car, we phoned 112 for an ambulance.
I spoke to the operator and told him my child was in cardiac and liver failure on the corner of Kingsway Avenue and Cavendish Street – about three blocks from the Brakpan Fire Station.
I told him she was seen by a private doctor and that we had a referral letter to go to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital
The operator told me an ambulance was on its way.
After 15 minutes I phoned again, and was told the ambulance was on its way, but was busy with another call.
After 20 minutes I phoned again, and told them an ambulance had driven past us in Voortrekker Road, but did not turn left into Cavendish Street.
They assured me the ambulance would turn around and attend to my daughter.
After waiting 10 minutes another ambulance drove past slowly again, in Voortrekker Road, like they were looking for Cavendish Street.
This got too much for me and when I phoned again, I told the operator I wanted to speak to the station commander, which I did.
He assured me this was unusual behaviour and that a child with heart failure was a level one call.
He said he would dispatch the ambulance himself.
After 10 minutes the ambulance eventually arrived and, when I explained the situation, I was told they did not take anybody to Johannesburg, even with a doctor’s letter.
I then phoned ER24 and spoke to Yolandi.
The ambulance, which was dispatched in Benoni, was there in 11 minutes.
This is shocking service from Ekurhuleni and I would like an explanation.
