The City of Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba unveiled and handed over 42 new ambulances to the Emergency Management Services on 20 June.
Mashaba was joined by the MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun and the MMC for Health and Social Development, Dr Mpho Phalatse alongside various members of the Emergency Management Services to celebrate the procurement of the ambulances at Ivory Park Fire Station.
Mashaba said that the 42 new ambulances will be dispatched across the City of Johannesburg and will assist with alleviating the strain to already stretched resources.
He added, “The 42 ambulances will replace the broken down and ageing fleet, bring the EMS fleet to 101 ambulances servicing Joburg residents. All 30 stations will each receive at least one ambulance and some will receive two, based on the call volume within that region.”
Phalatse said, “In the healthcare continuum there are many players and the ambulance services are a very crucial element in allowing us to provide that kind of health care.”
She added that the new investment is significant due to many patients requiring to be moved between healthcare facilities depending on their injuries or ailments and this cannot be achieved without the help of the ambulance service.
Sun commended the ongoing work done by the City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services and welcomed the investment made that will assist in their work.
The day saw Mashaba and Sun inspect the new ambulances and hand them over to the acting chief of the Emergency Management Services, Nomathemba Mtshali. Mashaba concluded, “I encourage residents of Johannesburg to also take pride in the new fleet and ensure our paramedics are protected while they respond to emergencies.”
Details: joburg.gov.za
