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The Gauteng health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, has announced modernization plans to improve emergency medical service (EMS) turnaround times and coordinate the bed management. The MEC made this announcement during the debate on the health department’s annual report at the Gauteng legislature today.

“In 2013/14 we procured 120 ambulances which were allocated to five districts, including local municipalities,” MEC Mahlangu said. “We are adding a further fifty (50) EMS fleet which is currently undergoing conversion and we are in the process of procuring computer aided call taking and dispatching software for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).”

The modernization in the delivery of emergency services will ensure that the time between the call for an ambulance is made to the time an ambulance is dispatched are drastically reduced. The system will also improve coordination of the bed bureau (bed management) especially the intensive care units (ICU) and high care beds.

MEC Mahlangu further said; “Using modern technology will allow us to create a single data base for all emergency service providers in Gauteng, allowing the appropriate use of resources by both private and the public sector.”

Other modernization endeavours of the department include investigating a Cash Lab Model to improve cash flow management in all public health facilities.

Mahlangu concluded by adding that the technology will further provide a platform to continuously communicate with citizens, especially those on chronic medication via short message system (sms), with health promoting messages, treatment plan options and collection points.

Issued by Gauteng Health