Emergency medical service department in dire straits with only 33 ambulances now operational in Mpumalanga
She added that it boils down to only one ambulance per 120 303 people, who are dependent on public health.
The DA in Mpumalanga issued a press statement on 15 June regarding the available operational ambulances, which is only 33, servicing a population of 3,9-million.
The spokesman on Health, Ms Jane Sithole, said the Department of Health’s fourth-quarterly report indicated that 35 ambulances were bought in October last year.
According to Ms Sithole, the department has also reported that they are in a process of buying 67 additional ambulances and will therefore then have 100 ambulances.
The DA voiced its concern regarding the statement of the Health MEC, Ms Sasekani Manzini, who confirmed in April last year that 178 ambulances were operational to respond to any emergencies in the province.
“What has happened to those ambulances if only 33 are currently operational? It seems the province has lost 81 per cent of its operational ambulances in 12 months.”
She added that it boils down to only one ambulance per 120 303 people, who are dependent on public health.
“It is no wonder that with only 33 ambulances to service 76 495 square kilometres, these vehicles do not last.”
The press release went on to say that it appears that Ms Manzini is unable to turn the emergency medical service department around as they are still struggling with chronic staff shortages,
“The DA has submitted parliamentary questions to ascertain what happened to the other 145 ambulances and will also write to Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Premier, asking to intervene,” the statement concluded.
“Mpumalanga cannot afford to have an emergency medical service department that cannot deliver on its mandate.”
The Standerton Advertiser sent an enquiry to the communications manager of the Lekwa Municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, on Friday, 19 June and is awaiting comment.
Ms Mtshiselwa replied that the Department of Health in Mpumalanga should be contacted and the newspaper made three calls on Friday, 26 June to the department, Mr Dumisane Malamule and Ms Sharon Nkosi, as indicated on their website.
Only the cell phone number of Ms Nkosi left an option for a message, which was duly recorded.
