Ambulances in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have been misused for purposes far removed from their life-saving mission, with reports indicating that some were utilized to transport window frames and a grass cutter. In a particularly alarming case, one ambulance was left parked outside a shebeen for hours. These revelations come at a time when KZN Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is grappling with a severe shortage of emergency vehicles, citing budget constraints as the primary hurdle.
This information was presented to the KZN Legislature Health Portfolio Committee on Tuesday, where the KZN EMS highlighted the growing difficulty in meeting emergency response demands. The committee delved into several critical reports from the KZN Department of Health (DOH), addressing issues of fraud, risk management, EMS efficiency, patient care, and other health-related concerns that directly impact service delivery across the province.
Despite the challenges, there have been some positive developments. The implementation of new fleet management interventions has led to noticeable improvements in vehicle maintenance turnaround times. This has, in turn, enhanced response times in districts such as Amajuba, eThekwini, ILembe, and Ugu, offering a glimmer of hope for better emergency services in these areas.
However, not all districts have benefitted equally. Several regions continue to struggle due to complications with the current fleet management contract. These issues have resulted in prolonged downtime for emergency vehicles, exacerbating the already critical shortage. In response, the DOH has urged the vehicle management service provider to expand their pool of service providers and to enhance supervision of fleet operations to mitigate these delays.
The mismanagement and misuse of ambulances underscore the urgent need for stricter oversight and accountability within the KZN EMS. As the province battles to provide adequate emergency medical care, addressing these internal inefficiencies and ensuring that every vehicle is dedicated solely to its intended purpose becomes paramount.
