Msukaligwa paramedics and ambulances working just fine
This comes after reports surfaced to the Highvelder that two ambulances were suspended in Msukaligwa and paramedics are not to work overtime which would have affected services.
The Department of Health (DoH) in the Gert Sibande District wants it to be known their emergency care workers, the paramedics, are working in accordance to their mandate to ensure quality health care service for all.
Also read: Msukaligwa appoints engineers for extension of reticulation sewerage system in Wesselton
Other alarming revelations in the reports were:
• No early or late transfers to be conducted.
• Nurses will no longer transfer patients with the ambulance personnel because they are not insured.
• There will be no ambulance in Breyten.
However, DoH has disputed the revelations, saying it is business as usual for government emergency care workers.
Communication’s Manager of the DoH in GSDM, Mr Sibusiso Mabuza, said their paramedics are working overtime.
“At provincial or national level, there is no attempt or any instruction to stop overtime for emergency care workers.”
With regards to the transfers query, Mr Mabuza said they do have early and late transfers to the hospital from clinics.
Mr Mabuza went on to say the department has different levels of care.
• Primary level where services are rendered at home through the Out Reach services with mobile clinics and fixed clinics at community level.
• Secondary level is the regional services offered at Ermelo Hospital.
• Tertiary level is at Witbank Hospital and the Rob Ferreira Hospital in White River.
“Once the health care professionals from primary level determine the need for patients to be transferred to all other levels of care, it is done without any obstruction.”
Mr Mabuza was adamant that nurses are able to transfer patients with ambulance personnel.
“According to Regulation 786 of the Nursing Act 2005 (Act 33 of 2005), nurses have a duty to maintain and coordinate the continuity of care for the health care users, even during the transfer of patients,” he said.
On the issue of paramedics not accredited, Mr Mabuza said their emergency services personnel are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa in terms of the Health Professions Act and they are accredited to transfer the patients.
“The public continues to receive the services they deserve as stipulated in Batho Pele principles and patients right charter.”
Mr Mabuza stated unequivocally that the department has not cut any overtime for paramedics and suspended no ambulances in the district.
He disputed the claims that Breyten will not have an ambulance.
“UbuhleBempilo Clinic in Breyten has one ambulance stationed at the clinic and the ambulance as not been suspended and services are rendered as they are supposed to be.”
Mr Mabuza pointed out that Msukaligwa sub-district has six functional ambulances.
• Three allocated to Ermelo Hospital.
• Two allocated to Silindile Community Health Centre (Lothair Clinic).
• One allocated to UbuhleBempilo (Breyten Clinic).
The department however, acknowledged the delays during the calls of an ambulance to rural areas such as New Scotland due to weather conditions, wrong directions and infrastructure.
A welcomed relief will be the news that DoH is in the process of procuring additional ambulances for the province to ensure quality service is provided by their institutions.
“We welcome the public and gatekeepers for making us aware of our shortcomings so that improvement strategies are put in place to provide quality health services to the community,” he concluded.
For free breaking and community news, visit our websites:
Ridge Times, Standerton Advertiser & Highvelder
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter
