The North West Department of Health and Social Development has increased its ambulances fleet to meet the 2010 FIFA World Cup demand and is further increasing and improving the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) medical equipment at the call centre and health operation centre.
Delivering department’s R6.2 billion budget speech, MEC Rebecca Kasienyane said 70 new ambulances will be put on the road next month to help improve service delivery.
“I can report that we managed to procure 40 ambulances which were distributed to our facilities in November of the last financial year alone. Additional to that, 70 new ambulances have already been purchased in the current financial year,” she said.
The ambulances will be used during a month long football spectacle. They will be distributed equitably after the world cup with preference given to rural communities.
“The emergency vehicles are of quality and will assist improve our response time. This is a way of improving ordinary people's lives and enhancing service delivery.
“The shortage of emergency vehicles could hinder the transportation of patients such as pregnant women to hospitals and clinics, the seriously sick and those who sustained injuries in road accidents.
“We will always be proactive to ensure that all people receive adequate service delivery,” she said.
The department has procured over 200 ambulances in the past three years including the ones to be released.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
