2006/07
31 March 2006
Mafikeng - The North West Department of Health has set aside R110,864
million to purchase more ambulances and rescue vehicles, including improving
the standard of the available Emergency Medical and Rescue Service equipments.
World class Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMRS) is what the Health
Department envisages.
Delivering the departmental budget speech before the Provincial Legislature
on Thursday, MEC for Health Nomonde Rasmeni said Emergency Medical and Rescue
Services unit, is the mirror in which the public judge our commitment towards
Batho-Pele principles and the dictates of the patient rights charter.
Rasmeni also told the Legislature that discussions around the best
structural arrangements for EMRS have started. "Central to these discussions
will be our resolve to have our District Health System playing a more prominent
role in the running and management of EMRS," said Rasmeni.
There are currently more than 130 ambulances in 22 stations in the province,
and the Department says this is insufficient for the North West community. The
Department can, however, confidently declare that the community is consistently
using the 10177 toll-free number for emergency cases, especially the ones in
rural areas.
Rasmeni further said despite the many challenges that this field is faced
with, the EMR Services must be able to live up to the challenges, which include
ensuring access to and quality healthcare services.
"Our country is enthusiastically awaiting the 2010 World Cup, and since the
North West province is also going to host some of the games, we want to prepare
ourselves in ensuring that our improved EMRS will be there to assist. World
class EMRS is one of the ingredients for a successful event management and
planning", concluded MEC for Health Nomonde Rasmeni.
For enquiries please contact
Mr Barba Gaoganediwe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958
Tel: (018) 387 5830
Fax: (018) 387 5794
E-mail: kgaoganediwe@nwpg.gov.za
Website: http://www.nwhealth.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health North, West Provincial Government
31 March 2006
