MTHATHA – The Eastern Cape Department of Health has handed over 24 new ambulances to strengthen Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with the vehicles unveiled at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha on Friday.

The new vehicles are expected to improve emergency response capacity and access to pre-hospital care, particularly in rural communities.

Eastern Cape Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa thanked EMS personnel for their work, saying their efforts were often underappreciated.

“As citizens we are always shouting that the ambulance did not arrive on time. We do not know the challenges you are facing in this sector. We know nothing about the shortage of ambulances and protocol. When we see an ambulance standing at Nelson Mandela, we expect it to go and fetch the person who is sick,” Capa said.

She said some people called ambulances for relatively minor ailments, such as mild headaches, without understanding that the service was intended for emergencies and critical situations.

“Those are the challenges we are facing, but we appreciate the work you are doing. We appeal to you to take care of these vehicles — we know they are not enough. We still need more, but I assure you another fleet is coming soon,” she said.

Capa said the next batch of ambulances would be handed over in mid-November, ahead of the festive season, with the final batch expected between February and March. The department plans to procure 195 ambulances in total.

“We will not keep these; we will give them to you so you can continue doing your work. This is your tool of work, so you must take care of it,” she said.

Rural districts prioritised

Capa stressed the importance of a functional EMS, saying patients should receive care at health facilities rather than face delays while waiting for an ambulance.

She said the department’s ability to provide adequate resources to EMS was critical to its overall functioning, alongside Forensic Pathology Services.

Addressing concerns about ambulance hijackings, Capa confirmed she had raised the issue several times with MEC for Transport and Community Safety Xolile Nqatha. She also acknowledged the role police officers played in assisting the department.

“It is not only our ambulances that are targeted, but almost all vehicles falling under government departments. We urge community members to bear with us,” she said.

Capa said the province needed 600 ambulances to cover its entire area, but did not have the required number.

“For now, we do not have them. But we ensure that whatever we have reaches the community. Today we have prioritised the rural districts so they can also benefit,” she said.

She added that the department wanted to ensure ambulances undergoing repairs were returned to service as soon as possible.

“As we get new fleets, we also want to make sure those in the garage are finalised and released to the people. We hope this will make a great difference.”

Fleet shortages remain

Capa said she could not confirm the total number of ambulances currently operational in the province, but confirmed that the 24 vehicles had been included in the existing fleet as replacements rather than additional vehicles.

This means the province’s ambulance shortage remains a challenge, despite the handover.

However, Capa said new vehicles would be easier to maintain and service, helping EMS personnel continue their work.

ALSO READ: EC Health MEC condemns armed hijacking of ambulance