The move forms part of ongoing efforts to increase emergency response capacity across the province and address the challenges posed by its vast geographical distances. The additional ambulances are expected to build on the 30 vehicles already launched, as the province works to narrow the gap between EMS resources and the needs of communities.

The provincial department of health launched 30 new emergency medical services vehicles and appointed five advanced life support paramedics on Tuesday (8/9) in an effort to strengthen emergency healthcare services across the province.

The new fleet comprises of 15 ambulances, ten planned patient transport vehicles and five specialised units. The vehicles and paramedics have been distributed equally across the province’s five health districts.

Frances Baard, Pixley ka Seme, John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mgcawu and Namakwa districts will each receive three ambulances, two patient transport vehicles, one specialised unit and one newly appointed advanced life support paramedic.

“EMS is an integral part of public health in the province, particularly because we have a vast province and people have to travel very far to reach specialised services,” said premier Zamani Saul. “What is most important for me is that I’m here to launch a fleet of EMS vehicles that makes us achieve a record-high launch of public EMS vehicles.

“We are looking forward to increasing this number because of the importance of EMS services as an integral part of public health in the province.

“We should jealously guard these assets. It honestly doesn’t help for us to spend so much money just for this fleet of EMS vehicles, only for them to be subjected to abuse.

“One of the biggest grievances concerning public health in the province is emergency services, because when people are having emergencies at home, they phone, and if they don’t get a response, they contact me. Let’s protect the little that we have and get these vehicles to good use for the people of the Northern Cape.”

The province has launched about 140 EMS vehicles over the past six years. The combined fleet value is roughly R450m. With the latest fleet, Saul said the number of EMS vehicles launched during his tenure will reach about 200.

The department appealed to residents not to use emergency ambulance services for non-emergency situations, and warned that unnecessary calls could leave life-threatening emergencies without the necessary response.

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