While delivering his budget vote last week, MEC for Health in Northern Cape, Maruping Lekwene said R425 million has been allocated for emergency medical services, special operations, planned patient transport and disaster management services in the province. Earlier this year, Maruping acknowledged that the province’s health department is facing a crisis, with the three main challenges being a shortage of nurses and doctors, old infrastructure needing renovation, and inadequate emergency medical services. According to Lekwene, the department will be prioritising these challenges in the current financial year.

ALSO READ: Northern Cape Health prioritises its headaches

MP Delmaine Christians had previously stated that the growing surgery backlogs at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley is having a devastating impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. OFM News reported how one patient, Petro Louw, was sent home without receiving the double mastectomy she desperately needed and which she has been waiting for since 2019.

ALSO READ: Health care deteriorates in Northern Cape’s only tertiary facility

This week, Northern Cape premier Zamani Saul officiated the launch of 20 new ambulances and 10 new patient transport vehicles in Kimberley to address the lack of emergency fleet.

OFM News