This, after it came to light that large sums of provinces’ health budgets are being pumped into private ambulance services. Following the collapse of health services and the Mediosa scandal in the North West, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said investigations are underway regarding the use of private ambulance services and how these services are procured in the different provinces. It is alleged that the Free State Health Department spends millions on the Buthelezi Private Ambulance Services while communities continue to bear the brunt of poor service delivery. This allegation is coupled with several complaints regarding inadequate services and the lack of qualified operators at the service provider. Tsiu told OFM News the department battles to meet all health demands in the province with its own fleet and hence they are still making use of the Buthelezi Ambulance Service. 

Tsiu says although there are plans to phase out these private ambulances, the department will at this stage continue to outsourcing these services until the department has the capacity to run the EMS and meet all health demands without their help. 

She, however, adds that they are now only on a month-to-month contract with the service provider and will soon advertise the tender as well as start increasing the department’s fleet. 

OFM News