DA calls for probe into emergency medical services

LIMPOPO – The lack of service from a clinic after a hit-and-run incident in Ha-Mashao village outside Louis Trichardt, along with the ambulance taking more than three hours to arrive to the scene confirmed the deplorable state of the province’s emergency medical services (EMS), said the DA.

Langa Bodlani, DA Limpopo spokesperson on health, said David Mashaba was hit by a speeding car outside the clinic, but he did not get any medical attention from the clinic due to shortage of ambulances.

As a result of this delay, the victim later died. The DA extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mashaba,” said Bodlani.

He urged the MEC for health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba to investigate this matter immediately.

“All patients from this village and surrounding areas are forced to use their last money to hire transport to take their patients to the nearest hospital, which is 60km away.

“The DA cannot allow our citizens, including those in remote areas, to continue to suffer. The right to life is enshrined in the Constitution and we will be unswerving in our fight to preserve this right,” he said.

The DA will seek an urgent meeting with MEC to establish the reasons why this bad state of EMS persists in the province notwithstanding the undertaking earlier this year by premier Stanley Mathabatha and the former health MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe that a new fleet of ambulances was procured for the province.”