Ambulance boost for King Cetshwayo and uMkhanyakude districts
As the peak December holiday season begins, the additional fleet, procured at a cost of R15-million, will help emergency medical services in the districts to better respond to incidents
KZN MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, last week unveiled 20 new ambulances which will be handed over to all 11 districts in the province, including Zululand, King Cetshwayo and uMkhanyakude.
As the peak December holiday season begins, the additional fleet, procured at a cost of R15-million, will help emergency medical services in the districts to better respond to incidents.
‘The ambulances are fully equipped to intermediate life support level, and are in line with the new EMS regulations. They will be distributed to all 11 districts to complement existing operational fleets during the festive season and beyond,’ Dhlomo said.
He said the emergency medical services in KZN is the largest in the country, operating more than 300 ambulances and employing more than 2 500 dedicated paramedics.
‘KZN is home to more than 10 million people, which is 21% of the country’s population. At least 80% of these people depend on the public health sector for their medical and health needs.’
He further condemned incidents of paramedics being robbed and ambulances hijacked while en route to helping people who are in distress.
‘It is something we must never allow to happen. These vehicles are not government property. They belong to the public.
‘It is therefore up to each and every one of us to alert law enforcement authorities when we witness incidents involving EMS vehicles, whether it is paramedics abusing their vehicles or when we become aware of any plans to damage, hijack or vandalise ambulances.’
Dhlomo also announced that 405 medical interns have been placed at health facilities throughout the province for 2018, with a further 1 161 doctors placed in community service posts.
Some of the doctors will be placed in local hospitals such as Ngwelezana, Mseleni, Manguzi and Mbongolwane.
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