10 May 2007
Media reports about chronic ambulance shortages in the Eastern Cape were a
"gross exaggeration", the Eastern Cape health department said on Thursday, 10
May 2007.
"The situation is not out of hand," said spokesman Sizwe Kupelo. A national
targeted norm of one ambulance for every 10 000 residents by 2010 had been set
by the national committee on emergency services, he said.
"In the Eastern Cape, we currently have one per 30 000 and I'm confident
that by 2010 we'll be in a position to meet this national targeted norm." The
province has a 30 percent emergency services post vacancy and did face a
vehicle shortage, he said. However, a Herald Online report alleging that Port
Elizabeth had only five to seven ambulances to serve 1,3 million residents was
"a gross exaggeration of the situation."
The report also pointed to staff shortages and payment of overtime. To
address the 30 percent staff vacancy rate, the department has set R30,5 million
to recruit emergency staff. "About 192 positions have been advertised and that
process is still underway." Current personnel are 1 300. Kupelo said emergency
services management were also probing allegations around the submission of
fraudulent medical certificates for sick leave in order for colleagues to work
overtime, causing staff shortages.
"It is believed that some employees abuse sick leave whereas they are not
sick." Kupelo said 91 emergency vehicles were allocated last November in
various parts of the province. A fleet of 65 ambulances had been ordered and
delivery was expected in a few months with R10,7 million set aside for this.
Paramedic training was also underway and operations or communications
facilities were being modernised across the province. The total budget for
emergency services was R380 million with the aim of readiness for the 2010
World Cup.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
10 May 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za)
