Emergency centres get 20 new specialised vehicles
SPECIALISED rescue vehicles equipped with generators and the jaws of life and other equipment used for extricating trapped motorists and passengers from wreckages were distributed to various emergency centres throughout the Eastern Cape last week.
The 20 vehicles delivered are among 46 ordered by the department of health to replace its old fleet.
Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo, said the new fleet formed part of the department’s strategy to improve its emergency and rescue services.
“We are also still waiting for 100 fleet vehicles and buses which will also be delivered this year.
“For now we have received 4x4 bakkies which have been allocated to all emergency centres across the province which will also make easy access despite the terrain.
“Alfred Ndzo, Amathole, Nelson Mandela Bay and Sarah Baartmaan municipalities each received two vehicles, while Buffalo City Metro, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi were allocated to three each due to their larger population.
“The old fleet is soon to be returned to government for disposal and will go for public auctioning that will be facilitated by the department of transport,” he said.
Kupelo said the department would be paying the department of transport R12 900 per month for each vehicle. He said the department had recently finished building a R18-million emergency centre in Tombo village outside Port St Johns.
Health MEC Dr Phumza Dyantyi expressed her excitement at the acquisition of the resources which would improve service delivery and save lives.
Meanwhile, emergency medical service officials in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality have been on a protected strike for nearly two weeks now following complaints of excessive work hours and poor payment. Workers said they had to endure 11-hour day shifts, while their nightshift extended to 13 hours.
Kupelo said the protest was unfortunate. “Our labour relations is seeking clarity on that while contingency plans have been put in place to ensure people of the area are not denied services,” he said. “We are processing payments for everyone owed by the department.”
He said 1 900 staff would receive their outstanding money on Monday and payments would be finalised at the end of May. —