Another unnecessary death

It was heartbreaking to read the front-page article of yet another unnecessary death caused through the shortage of ambulances. (The Witness, April 11). My condolences to this heartbroken family.

This being a day after my sister should have celebrated her 62nd birthday, which makes the pain so much more unbearable.

P.R. councillor Msawenkosi Phungula is spot-on with his assessment of the situation in Greytown, as reflected in my letter in The Witness on April 8. That there is a shortage of ambulances in Greytown, in fact throughout the country, can no longer be used as a viable excuse, but is part of the failure of various Health departments.

What can Jacob Zuma and his MK Party, a neighbour to Umvoti Municipality, do to alleviate this problem? With or without a seat in Parliament? What can the IFP do, with Greytown being it’s stronghold? What can the DA do, other than visit and console a grieving family?

The ANC is doing nothing! The apathy, as mentioned in my letter, is clearly visible, being so deeply embedded in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, that it could not be bothered to reply to queries, let alone fix the problem. There is no sense of accountability.

We will continue to read heartbreaking headlines such as this one. We will continue to mourn loved ones who should have been alive. We need a “messiah” to turn the healthcare fiasco around.

It’s heartbreak upon heartbreak. Nevertheless, my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to those trying to make a difference, however small, people such as Colin David and MI7. Saving just one life, that would otherwise have been lost, would be mentally and spiritually very fulfilling.

Maybe The Witness can publish some of these life-saving efforts, if and when they occur. Some positivity above all the doom and gloom is needed desperately.