EASTERN CAPE – The Eastern Cape government is rolling out new ambulances as the Department of Health reports that 211 of approximately 350 ambulances in its fleet are currently grounded.

That leaves 139 ambulances operational, according to the latest figures provided by the department.

 Of the grounded vehicles, 44 have been out of service for less than 30 days, while 167 have been grounded for periods ranging from more than 30 to 120 days.

The latest figures show a decline from those previously provided by Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa in response to a parliamentary question from DA Shadow MEC for Health Jane Cowley.

The earlier parliamentary figures showed that Nelson Mandela Bay had 40 ambulances, of which nine were grounded, leaving 31 operational.

Cowley wrote to Capa and Premier Oscar Mabuyane on 12 August, calling for an investigation into delays in repairing the provincial ambulance fleet.

“For thousands of our residents, an ambulance is the only lifeline between desperately required healthcare services and death,” Cowley said.

She said she had received reports of no functional ambulances in Joe Gqabi, as well as shortages in Kirkwood and the Willowmore/Rietbron and Baviaans areas of Sarah Baartman.

Cowley described the situation as “simply untenable” and called for plans to prioritise the speedy repair of ambulances.

“A failure to do so would mean the perpetuation of unnecessary deaths,” she said.

In a statement dated 18 August, Cowley said the latest figures raised “serious questions about both the deterioration of the service and the management of the provincial fleet”.

New vehicles on the way

According to a provincial government media statement issued on 18 August, the Department of Health has started receiving additional vehicles through Government Fleet Management Services (GFMS) and the Eastern Cape Department of Transport.

The statement said the initiative was aimed at addressing “an ageing ambulance fleet, frequent breakdowns, the rural nature of the province and the time required to repair and maintain vehicles”.

Fourteen new ambulances were distributed in Sarah Baartman last week, together with seven patient transport vehicles and nine response vehicles.

A further 20 ambulances are scheduled for delivery on 21 August, followed by 26 on 4 September, 35 by the end of October, 74 in February 2027 and 40 in March 2027.

The final 40 will be retained by GFMS for short-term deployment to the Department of Health when vehicles are undergoing repairs.

The statement said the department also has arrangements with private service providers to supplement the government ambulance fleet where necessary.

Repairs remain a concern

Cowley said the replacement of ambulances was welcome, but it would not immediately resolve the number of vehicles off the road.

“While this is welcome, it does not address the immediate crisis of more than 200 ambulances standing idle, nor the systemic delays that have kept vehicles grounded for months,” she said.

She said the latest figures were “significantly worse” than those previously supplied to the DA in a parliamentary reply.

Cowley called for repairs to be fast-tracked and for vehicles to be properly equipped and safe to operate.

According to the provincial government’s statement, the programme is intended to strengthen ambulance services and ensure people across the Eastern Cape, particularly in rural communities, can access emergency medical care when they need it.

ALSO READ: Paramedic killed while responding to emergency in Gqeberha crash