Alpha Operation programme
4 December 2006
As the festive season is looming and the provincial Department of Health is
gearing up to deal with any medical emergency eventuality from giving emergency
care to car accident victims to rescue operations. A fleet of 150 brand new
ambulances, worth R45 million, will be released tomorrow, 5 December 2006, at a
function that will be officiated by Premier Sibusiso Ndebele and provincial
Health MEC Peggy Nkonyeni.
The release of these new ambulances is part of the Alpha Operation's
programme, which the Department embarks on over the holiday period. The aim of
this operation is to pull together and strengthen all emergency medical rescue
services and resources throughout the province. "During this festive period the
Department will have a total of 200 emergency vehicles operating, and on top of
that we will have an additional 53 ambulances and 11 medical emergency disaster
buses and rescue vehicles," says the MEC Nkonyeni.
The Department also has two helicopters one stationed in Richards Bay to
provide aero medical care in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and another based in
Durban. "We also have a fixed wing plane for the transfer of emergency
patients," said Nkonyeni.
The Alpha Operation launch will also include the passing out parade of a
group of 84 emergency care practitioners (paramedics) who have successfully
completed a three months training course in basic life support. This training
is part of the recruitment programme initiated by the Department to train
unemployed matriculants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, who are
employed by the Department under the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS)
after successfully completing training.
The Alpha Operation launch programme will start at 08h00 at the Marianhill
Toll Plaza where the Premier, MEC, the Head of Department and senior officials
from the road traffic inspectorate will be handing out educational pamphlets on
health and safety during the festive period, and also urge motorists to be
vigilant and cautious at all times to help minimise road accidents.
The release of the new fleet of ambulances and the passing out parade will
take place at the Royal Showground's in Pietermaritzburg at 10h00.
NB: Transport for media has been arranged and will depart from Durban
Playhouse at 07h30.
For more information please contact:
Leon Mbangwa
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
4 December 2006
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/)
