Ambulance shortages a threat to emergency care

CRITICAL STATUS

- KAREN SINGH

PARAMEDICS in South Africa have sounded the alarm over critical shortages of ambulances and staff, leading to unsafe working conditions and inadequate emergency care for communities.

In a recent Parliamentary response, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi acknowledged that staffing levels were insufficient to cater for the needs of a population exceeding 63 million, with the government promising to enhance staffing as resources permit.

As of April 25, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) alone had 480 ambulances, though 240 of those were non-operational. The Eastern Cape faces a similar predicament, with 418 ambulances but 125 out of commission.

Motsoaledi stated that nationally, the ambulance to population ratio is 1:10,000, and there were 14,000 operational EMS personnel as of February 28.

State paramedics, who have requested anonymity, have raised alarming concerns over chronic ambulance shortages that are endangering lives.

A paramedic from the Northern Cape said certain towns do not have ambulances or even staff. He mentioned that one town near the N1 highway has one dilapidated ambulance with suspension issues, and staff are forced to use it or face unpaid leave or being booked absent without leave. "I'm an animal lover, and I wouldn't even allow my pet to travel in a vehicle like that."

Unsafe conditions

He said that while they attempt to maintain the ambulances to standard, the lack of cleaning materials poses a significant issue. This was compounded by the fact that the ambulances run 24/7, with vehicles being passed from one shift to the next. "In 2006, we had more than 15 ambulances per shift, and now we are down to about six maximum, depending on breakages and servicing."

According to the paramedic, in one town, two ambulances have to cover about 300000 people. "One day, I transported 16 people in the back of my vehicle because I could not leave anyone behind. They were serious cases."