How about mobile hospitals?

I have long since wanted to make a suggestion regarding the dilemma of unemployed doctors and the shortage of ambulances, but, knowing the lethargy of people in power to take heed of ordinary people’s advice and suggestions, I have refrained.

Most of the time, we criticise and attack, but sometimes we try. Seeing the advert on the front page of The Witness of April 12, shocked me into reality: “The only hospital on the N3.”

With the above advert in mind, now is the time to make a meaningful suggestion (from my viewpoint): the part of N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg is a long stretch of road, with many accident hot spots, with resultant injuries and fatalities occurring on an almost daily basis.

Not to mention the notorious Town Hill and further inland, especially Mooi River.

Is it not time to consider supplementing this hospital (and obviously some of the other major hospitals), with “mobile hospitals” in the form of ambulances?

Is it not time to consider purchasing some 100 or so ambulances (the government did it for police by purchasing some 99 vehicles), providing them with a doctor, nurse and for good measure a security guard?

Think about the many lives that would be saved, brought about by the critical extra seconds saved. Think about solving the dilemma of unemployed professional healthcare personnel, which is unacceptable anywhere in the world.

Think about the ray of hope, the positivity, that would be instilled in the minds of ordinary citizens, seeing ambulances parked or patrolling strategic sections of the N3, working together with tow-trucks.

Is it not time for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health to wake up out of its sleep and recognise the needs of citizens?