Durban hospital ambulances sans sirens
2012-08-07 22:39
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2011-10-18 15:37
The Children's Hospital Trust has donated two fully equipped ambulances with specialised paediatric equipment to the Western Cape Health Department.WATCH
Durban - Ambulances at the Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi were in a poor state, the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal said on Tuesday.
"When the IFP leaders conducted an inspection of the ambulances, they were shocked to find that the Advanced Life Support vehicle had no sirens, no hooters, and only red lights," IFP health spokesperson Dr Usha Roopnarain.
Four IFP leaders went to visit the hospital after receiving complaints from the public.
Roopnarain said Automated External Defibrillator (AED) monitors in all the new ambulances were not working, and the staff did not know how to use the monitors.
"Many vehicles were not roadworthy, with some ambulances having braking problems, and tyres in a poor condition," he said.
Roopnarain said there were huge shortages of equipment, staff, linen and surgical supplies. Only seven ambulance units were operational at the hospital.
Provincial health spokesperson Desmond Motha said the department distributed 292 ambulances in June.
Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo was on a roadshow visiting all districts and speaking to Emergency Medical Rescue Services personnel with the view to bring back discipline, commitment to service, and dedication, Motha said.
On Tuesday, he visited Stanger and Empangeni.
He had already been to two districts, namely Sisonke (Ixopo) and Ugu (Port Shepstone).
- SAPA
