KZN Emergency Medical Services failing communities, warns DA
DA warns KZN emergency medical services are failing communities, with staff shortages and broken ambulances putting lives at risk.
KwaZulu-Natal’s emergency medical services (EMS) are at breaking point, particularly in the Umzinyathi District. The warning was sounded by Dr Imran Keeka, DA spokesperson on health in KZN, who spoke after a Glencoe resident reported a tragic EMS lapse that led to a patient’s death. The complainant said the first dispatcher hung up mid-call, and the second reported only one ambulance was available—and it was out of town. Dispatchers also demanded full personal details before sending assistance.
“The lack of available emergency medical services and the requirement for third-party callers to provide all personal details is alarming,” said the resident.
Dr Keeka confirmed oversight visits reveal what communities have long complained about: delayed ambulances, outdated equipment, and staff working under impossible conditions. National standards require ambulances to reach emergencies within 15 minutes in urban areas and 40 minutes in rural areas, but KZN falls far short.
“A major obstacle is the shortage of vehicles. Only about a third of the provincial fleet is operational, with some ambulances idle for months awaiting minor repairs. Many vehicles have more than 500,000 kilometres on the clock,” Keeka said.
The province also suffers from a lack of trained personnel, outdated paper-based dispatch systems, and under-resourced Health Technology Services, delaying repairs. Infrastructure is in crisis, with condemned buildings still in use and makeshift facilities widespread.
“This service is broken. Historic budget cuts and poor prioritisation have brought EMS to its knees,” Keeka added. “Without urgent action, more patients will die waiting for help, and mothers will give birth at home due to lack of access.”
He called for stabilising the EMS budget, repairing infrastructure, boosting staffing, and exploring public-private partnerships to restore emergency services to a reliable standard.
The KZN Health Department was asked to respond, and this will be published once received.
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