Heath department in top gear

THE festive season is in full swing and the weather has caught up with the summer-time vibe – but this also means more accidents.

The provincial Department of Health has declared itself ready for all kinds of emergencies that might arise this season.

Spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said officials had ensured that around the province, medical teams would be working around the clock.

“Doctors, nurses and support staff will obviously be on duty 24/7 for all emergencies during the festive season.

“Management has made every effort to ensure emergency supplies are available in anticipation of the unfortunate accidents and trauma regrettably associated with the season,” he said.

Most patients at state emergency wards during the festive season were road accident victims.

“Already, emergency services have had their hands full due to a high number of trauma cases, especially from accidents on our roads. We have three helicopters, and ambulances on the ground.”

Yesterday, Kupelo said they were working with traffic personnel, and had ambulances placed strategically at accident hotspots, although he did not say where the hotspots were located.

This week, the Dispatch reported that four people, including three children, drowned in the province over the weekend and one person was still missing.

Kupelo said the department was looking into ensuring that such cases were handled timeously.

During the 2015 festive season, the official death toll for the province was up from previous years.

By December 28 2015, the death toll on the province’s roads was already standing at 171.

This was more than the death toll for the entire 2014-15 festive season.

Last year, following a train collission just outside Berlin, the health department was applauded for its quick response.

“We mobilised vehicles from as far as Aliwal North, Grahamstown and Mthatha. We had over 20 vehicles and three choppers at the scene, and there were also ambulances from the private sector,” Kupelo said.

“We regarded this as a disaster . It was time for us to demonstrate our capacity and rescue machinery. We were not caught with our pants down.”

He said the department had the capacity to handle all emergencies this season. —