DA Limpopo calls for urgent action to address ambulance and staff shortages
LIMPOPO
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has raised concerns urging Health MEC in the province, Dieketseng Mashego, to take immediate action to address the province’s critical ambulance and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff shortages.
The party said according to a response to a DA parliamentary question, Limpopo has only 124 ambulances available per shift, far below the recommended ratio of one ambulance per 10 000 people, which translates to approximately 640 ambulances for the province.
The current state of ambulance services in Limpopo per district, indicates that Capricorn District has 20 ambulances, Waterberg District follows with 25 ambulances, Sekhukhune District has 27 ambulances, Mopani District with 25 ambulances while Vhembe District having 27 ambulances.
Lindy Wilson, DA Spokesperson for Health in Limpopo, expressed deep concern over the shortages, stating that the province’s current ratio is about one ambulance per 52 000 people.
“MEC Mashego and her department need to do more. The DA will continue fighting for improved emergency medical services for all people of Limpopo,” Wilson emphasized.
She stated that the party has also revealed that the province is experiencing EMS staff shortages, with the province having only 1 678 trained EMS staff, comprising, 35 advanced life support, 636 intermediate life support and 1 002 basic life support personnel.
“However, the ideal norms and standards for EMS personnel required should be 5 128 in relation to the province’s population, highlighting a significant shortage of staff,” she said.
The DA warned that failure to capacitate the EMS adequately may result in more medical legal claims, which already run into billions, and compromise the standard of service residents receive.
“The DA has previously raised concern about shortfalls in the ambulance services per shift and staff shortages, and emphasised the need for an increased and concerted effort by the department to free more resources to build the ambulance fleet, timeously maintain and repair the existing fleet and increase EMS personnel,” informed Wilson.
She added that the department needs to free more resources to build the ambulance fleet, maintain and repair existing vehicles, and increase EMS personnel.
About three years ago, then Limpopo Health MEC and currently Premier in the province, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, handed over 165 new ambulances to the province’s EMS stations.
However, the South African Emergency Personnel’s Union (SAEPU), expressed concerns that these ambulances might go unused due to the shortage of emergency personnel.
The union also highlighted that most qualified emergency personnel move to Gauteng for better opportunities, and the province rarely advertises job posts for emergency workers.
