EDITORS NOTE

What if? Two simple words that could haunt those who pose the question for years to come. For two East London families, who lost loved ones recently, these two words speak to their anger and frustration with the provincial health department: What if the ambulance had arrived on time? Would my loved one have lived?

The Quill family of Buffalo Flats in East London said they called an ambulance at 9am last Tuesday. Their relative, 74-year-old Peter Quill, was experiencing breathing problems.

By late afternoon that same day, there was no sign of an ambulance. He died in the family’s lounge. Then there was another wait for someone to certify the elderly man dead.

It was eventually done with the help of the funeral parlour and private paramedics. The family contacted the Dispatch on Thursday.

By then, a state ambulance or paramedic was yet to arrive at their home.

Editor, Farai Diza

Email: faraidiza@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +27 63 193 6362 www.afropoetrytimes.co.za