POLOKWANE – The Emergency Medical Services unit of the Health Department now has 100 baby transport incubators, increased from a total of 13, and also procured 300 patient monitors of all sizes allowing for each ambulance to carry at least one, the department confirmed.
Ventilators, eye protection PPE and suction units are also among the equipment that MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba viewed late last month at the Dr Ernesto Che Guevara EMS house in the city, after a recent procurement of equipment.
During the department’s budget vote in April last year, the MEC announced a total of R1.3b that had been set aside for the running of EMS across the province. Included in this allocation was the purchase of 500 ambulances.
The department dispatched 86 new ambulances to Sekhukhune, with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
This, she said, was a testament to their commitment to improve healthcare, after having promised to procure a minimum of 50 ambulances annually.
She urged paramedics and other healthcare professionals present to be accountable and responsible in the use of the equipment.
“Each crew will be allocated their own set and will be expected to care for them diligently.”
Her spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha said the MEC highlighted that “any unaccounted loss would require individuals who are responsible, to provide explanations, reinforcing the need for meticulous equipment management”.
