Ambulances in service
Ekurhuleni’s recently procured ambulances and emergency response vehicles were unveiled on August 7, at the Sam Ntuli Stadium, in Thokoza.
Ekurhuleni took delivery of the vehicles on June 30, and they have now received the necessary conversions and branding.
A total of 48 ambulances, nine paramedic response vehicles and nine firefighting vehicles were unveiled, as well as various other vehicles that will service the metro.
‘‘The days of waiting for a long period of time for an ambulance to arrive at an emergency scene are over,’’ said mayor of Ekurhuleni Clr Mondli Gungubele, in a press statement.
The City Times reported on the dire ambulance shortage in Ekurhuleni on February 6, when it emerged that the city ambulance services were operating at less than 50 per cent of what was required to service the city effectively.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Social Development, Hope Papo, commended the city for procuring the vehicles and said the province will allocate ambulances to all municipalities in the province, which will cater for women giving birth.
Meanwhile, Gungubele said the metro’s emergency call centre will be upgraded after recent public outcries.
“The call centre remains the most critical priority for the metro, hence we have invested approximately R20-million to upgrade the facility, a project which will be completed by end of this month,’’ said Gungubele. ‘‘
‘‘Furthermore, within the next few weeks, we will be advertising an additional 200 posts for call takers.”
A total of 50 call centre agents will operate on four shifts, an increase of 38 agents.
