The Department of Health and Social Development has redistributed 73 world cup ambulances to North West communities to up-scale service delivery as promised.
The major beneficiary was Bojanala Platinum district with 28 ambulances followed by Ngaka Modiri Molema with 17 while Dr Kenneth Kaunda received 16 ambulances. Ten ambulances were ordered to render service at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district and the two remaining ambulances will do duty at the North West Emergency Medical Rescue Service College in Orkney.
The department bought new fleet of ambulances to meet 2010 FIFA World Cup demand. This was necessitated by fact we did not want the tournament to affect the existing emergency service.
The department's challenges in this area of our work are now common to all of us including the communities we serve. One of these challenges is that whilst we procure more ambulance each year, we are always faced with the fact that we will have to retire some of them when they get old.
I have also sent out a stern warning to our drivers. These vehicles are not for personal use, they are not for shopping groceries or for delivering beverages.
The department has also previously dealt with cases of negligent driving on the part of our drivers. The end results of this negligent behavior has been that some of our ambulances spent more time in garages being serviced when they are supposed to be attending to emergencies on the road.
This has led to substantial shortfall. I must warn that negligence is not tolerated and we will not hesitate to deal with those who are responsible.
I must however emphasise that these ambulances will not completely eradicate shortage.We still have shortage but we do believe they will substantially improve the situation.
We will continue to look for additional funding so that we may be able to procure more because we all know that shortage of ambulances hinders transportation of patients such as pregnant women to hospitals and clinics, the seriously sick and those who sustained injuries in road accidents.
We will therefore always be proactive to ensure that all people receive adequate service delivery but our people must also learn to look after their own resources.
Enquires:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
Ngwako J Motsieng
Tel: 018 387 5740
Cell: 082 964 8838
Fax to e-mail: 0866 342 993
E-mail: nmotsieng@nwpg.gov.za or nmotsieng@gmail.com
