22 new ambulances rolled out to boost health services in Northern Cape

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Health launched its annual allocation of 22 new ambulances in the province on May 2, at a cost of R40 million.

Many districts have reported a dire shortage of ambulances and emergency medical staff, while emergency vehicles are frequently out of service and in garages for repairs due to the poor condition of roads in the province.

The Department of Health indicated that the new ambulances, which will bring the operational fleet in the Northern Cape to 74, are expected to improve emergency response times.

The MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, emphasised that every community in the province deserved reliable emergency services.

“It might not be at the expected pace, but work is being put in to ensure a swift response to the needs of the people of the Northern Cape,” he said.

He added that additional paramedic training and district-level deployment would accelerate emergency health care where it is needed most.

The Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, pointed out that emergency vehicles often have to transport patients from remote, far-flung areas of the province.