the launch of the Modernised Emergency Medical Services, Bela Bela,
Limpopo
13 December 2007
Programme director
My colleagues, Health MECs present
Honourable Mayors and all Councilors here with us
Government officials
Community of Bela-Bela
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are recognised as a key component within
the health care delivery system. They are often an entry point into health
system services when people are under life-threatening circumstances. EMS also
plays an important role in the transfer of patients from one hospital to
another for a higher level of treatment.
Emergency medical services is seen as a comprehensive system comprising of
various elements such as emergency care practitioners, emergency physicians,
specialised vehicles and equipment, computerised call centres with computerised
communication centres and training.
Over the past few years the demand for emergency medical services has
increased considerably. However, abuse of the service due to hoax calls has
also contributed to this increase. The inappropriate summoning of the service
is in some areas as high as 60 percent of the call load. We estimated that
approximately 2,7 million calls were received and responded to in the past
financial year (April 2006 to March 2007).
Therefore, there is an urgent need to educate the public about
responsibility that comes with the use of emergency services. We need to
increase awareness about injury prevention, emergency preparedness and the
appropriate use of emergency services.
To respond to the increasing demand and the need to increase efficiency of
the services, the Department of Health has embarked on a vigorous initiative to
modernise and enhance emergency medical services throughout the country. To
demonstrate our commitment to improving these services, an additional R286
million has been allocated for the enhancement of emergency medical services
nationally. These resources are in addition to the funding provided by each
province through the equitable share.
These resources are being utilised for procurement of new ambulances,
modernisation of 18 communications centres, the implementation of aero-medical
services in the Free State, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces, and the expansion of
emergency care training at provincial Colleges of Emergency Care.
Included in the enhancement process is the building of appropriate ambulance
bases from which to provide emergency medical services. More than 900 EMS
vehicles have been procured in all nine provinces during this financial year.
These vehicles include 715 ambulances, 78 response vehicles, 37 rescue and 79
support vehicles.
The procurement of these vehicles should assist us to improve response times
across the country and provide resources in areas where services were
non-existent or out of reach. Of course, this procurement should contribute to
the attainment of our main goal, which is to decrease the number of injuries
and deaths.
During this festive season, these emergency vehicles will be placed at
strategic points on major routes across our country. This will be done to
ensure quick response to major accidents and to raise awareness amongst
commuters that these services are just a phone call away when needed.
Of course, the priority should be to prevent accidents. We know that the
number of accidents and cases of violence increase significantly during this
time of the year. As a result, a large number of people die or get seriously
injured while others are left with temporary and permanent disabilities. Most
of these incidents are related to the irresponsible use of alcohol and drug
abuse.
As we celebrate this festive season, let us take the necessary precaution and
protect ourselves and others from injuries and death.
Do not drink and drive. Do not drink and walk on the roads. Let us buckle up
and ensure that children's seatbelts are fastened too. Supervise children
around swimming pools, dams and beaches and do not swim after consuming
alcohol. Let us all enjoy this season responsibly.
Let me also take this opportunity to thank the EMS staff and health workers
in general for their dedication to care for our nation during this season.
These women and men are at the forefront of the health system, having to work
in trying of conditions dealing with seriously ill or injured people. Thank you
for continuing to give your best.
I salute all of you and wish you and your families a pleasant festive season
over the forthcoming weeks. I appreciate the fact that many of you and many
other health workers will be working over the holiday period, and that it will
not be possible to be with your families at certain stages of the festivities.
For this, I say thank you for your efforts.
I would also like to thank the MECs and heads of provincial health
departments for providing the critical leadership required to ensure that
emergency medical services is truly a vital link within the health care
delivery chain.
May I thank the Limpopo Health Department and all the other people who have
ensured that this event could take place here today and for the hospitality
provided to all of us.
I would like to wish every one of us gathered here a happy and peaceful
festive season and a prosperous 2008.
Thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health
13 December 2007
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
