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Ambulance drivers in Williston have had to scuttle around trying to source petrol money to be able to attend to critically ill patients. This is intolerable, even more so as we approach the third wave of the pandemic.

It is unconscionable as to how the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Williston has been left to function independently, with limited financial assistance. Patients are being placed at grave risk, with access to health care being determined by whether emergency care practitioners have enough rands in their pocket to fill up the tank.

Last weekend, two emergency cases that needed to be transferred for emergency operations, had to remain in the Accident and Emergency Unit at Fraserburg hospital until the Monday, when the ambulance driver eventually had access to petrol to be take the patients to the next level of care.

In addition to the lack of petrol, the emergency care workers are also operating as single crew ambulances and there is also very limited equipment on the ambulances.

The DA is very worried about the ongoing lack of management at the Fraserburg hospital. This stems largely from the fact that the facility is functioning without a hospital manager. In effect, there have been instances whereby a hospital staff member has arrived drunk on duty, and where the security official is required to step in provide ad hoc medical assistance. There are also only three nurses appointed at the facility, with one of them sitting at home for prolonged periods, whilst still receiving her salary. At the same time, the department fails to appoint a willing registered nurse from Fraserburg, who is keen to serve at the hospital.

The entire situation is unacceptable. The department, together with the hospital, should be working to save lives, not making room for the already high death rate in the Northern Cape to climb even further.

The DA previously reported our concerns regarding Fraserburg to past heads of Health. We will also report this matter to the current MEC, Maruping Lekwene, and acting HOD Riaan Strydom, asking for an urgent intervention in Fraserburg.

Issued by The DA