In an effort to accelerate health services delivery to the people of the Eastern Cape, the Department of Health has provided 60 more ambulances.
On the expiry of the Fleet Africa Eastern Cape fleet management contract at the end of January 2012, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was due to have received 75 replacement vehicles in lieu of the non-compliant vehicles at that point in time.
However the Department of Transport Fleet Management Unit which took over the function of Fleet management in the province faced transitional challenges such that, at that critical moment the procurement machinery was not properly oiled to deliver on this demand which resulted in a delay in delivering the vehicles.
The 60 vehicles comprise of Nissan Panel Bakkies which are not only readily available but also tolerant to the terrain and the road networks of the greater parts of the province.
Fifteen (15) Toyota Quantums were also ordered and they will be deployed in areas more suited for their sustenance and durability and they will be delivered in due course.
The approach adopted in distributing these vehicles across the province ensures compliance with the policy of placing the ambulances within accessible reach of the communities served rather than EMS bases; it also caters for those areas previously constrained severely and also prioritising Obstetric Emergency Care Services.
Twenty-five (25) of the vehicles will be dedicated to Obstetric Emergency Ambulance and they will be deployed to Maternal Obstetric Units (MOU) bringing the provincial complement of dedicated MOU Ambulances to 61. The MOUs are equipped with incubators which will help a lot in transporting premature babies.
Speaking at the handing over function held in East London, MEC for Health Sicelo Gqobana appealed to the ambulance drivers to take care of the vehicles and make sure that they are utilised in a right manner, He further mentioned that if the department can strengthen Emergency Medical Service and Hospital infrastructure, it can go a long way in sustaining clinical services in the province.
The handing over of these vehicles is expected to speed up the delivery of health services to the community and also reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.
The ambulances were distributed as follows:
Deployment area number of ambulances
1. Alfred Nzo District Municipality - eight
2. Amathole District Municipality - 11
3. Cacadu District Municipality - 11
4. Chris Hani District Municipality - 11
5. Joe Gqabi District Municipality - nine
6. Nelson Mandela Metro - three
7. OR Tambo District Municipality - seven
Total: 60
