KZN Health Department partners with private ambulance services to enhance emergency response
Image: FILE
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is entering into a partnership with private ambulance services to ensure timely and quality access to emergency medical services. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane made this announcement while presenting her budget in the provincial legislature yesterday.
The budget tabled amounts to approximately R56.2 billion. Simelane revealed that, over the past six years, budget cuts have reduced her budget by nearly R14 billion, leaving the department unable to meet some of its critical needs, including the expansion of the ambulance fleet.
"As a result, we are now looking into partnerships with private ambulances operating within the province," she stated.
Simelane emphasised the need to confront the challenges that directly impact patients. One of the most urgent issues is the pressure on the department's emergency medical services, particularly concerning response times for the evacuation of the sick and injured, as well as inter-facility transfers.
"KwaZulu-Natal's vast and difficult terrain, coupled with budget limitations, has meant that we have only been able to replace ageing ambulances and not expand our fleet as much as we would have liked," she explained.
In response, the department has decided to establish a panel of licensed EMS service providers to support the current fleet and improve response times. This panel will be drawn from more than 300 licensed service providers currently operating within the province.
"Let me be clear: our fleet will continue to focus on emergency evacuations from communities, accident scenes, and high-risk areas, while the private ambulances will assist with the critical function of transfers. This will help the department reduce turnaround times and ensure that patients receive the level of care they need when they need it," she added.
Simelane mentioned that the EMS is allocated a budget of R81 million, from which they intend to procure 50 new ambulances and 10-35 seater transport buses. Part of the funds will also be used to pay private service providers for some EMS functions.
Chairperson of the committee, Dr Imran Keeka, stated that the committee will be monitoring the issue of EMS closely. "The committee has prioritised emergency medical services through a focused intervention study and will continue to monitor this service rigorously."
Sabelo Mthethwa of MK Party commented, "They failed to meet EMS targets because they do not have the infrastructure, and now, instead of solving those problems, you are inviting new problems. It is not going to work and is going to create a lot of issues for healthcare workers."
"If you are going to use private ambulances for your inter-facility transfers, one thing you are forgetting is the distance between the two, and it is going to be very costly. This budgeting did not allow for that. The question is, last year they failed to pay service providers on time. How are you going to do this year without increasing the budget for EMS?" he asked.
Ncamisile Nkwanyana of the IFP welcomed the budget, stating it would facilitate the appointment of doctors. She urged the government to address the shameful long waiting times in clinics and hospitals, where patients travel long distances only to face long queues. "This erodes their dignity; this humanitarian failure must be rectified without delay."
Hlengiwe Mavimbela of the ANC remarked that services such as EMS are the backbone of community services. "The budget also includes strategic adjustments to support EMS and mental health services, which are particularly important in a province facing post-flood trauma, substance abuse, and youth mental health concerns."
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