Health dept vows to clamp down on misuse of vehicles

THE MEC for Health, Mase Manopole, has vowed to clamp down on the misuse and abuse of emergency medical service vehicles in the Northern Cape.

Lebogang Majaha, media liaison officer for the Office of the MEC, said yesterday that the warning came in the wake of a video that was circulated on social media over the festive season holiday.

In the video, a law enforcement officer caught on camera an EMS practitioner, known to the department, illegally transporting hitch-hikers on an unapproved trip from Hopetown to Kimberley, allegedly for personal gain.

“The Northern Cape MEC for Health has condemned this act of blatant and gross misconduct, and has vowed to put an end to such transgressions by clamping down on all forms of illegal practice within the EMS.”

Majaha added that with regard to the specific official who transgressed in this instance, the Office of the MEC was adamant in ensuring that swift disciplinary measures were pursued.

“The MEC has assigned a task team to investigate this matter without delay, and also to look into any other forms of misconduct and ill-discipline within this service.”

Majaha stated that the specific interventions, which would include ongoing monitoring, spot checks and regular inspections of emergency medical service vehicles throughout the Province, would be duly communicated.

“Seconds lost on mobilisation of ambulance services can never be recovered, and can lead to tragic outcomes, therefore in the emergency medical service proper utilisation of resources and the rapid deployment of EMS vehicles is crucial,” he added.

“The MEC appeals to members of the public to assist by reporting any unlawful acts regarding any departmental vehicle (irrespective of whether it is an ambulance or white fleet government vehicles branded with logo of the Department of Health), directly to the relevant authorities in the Department of Health.”

– Staff Reporter