Limpopo Health MEC hands over new ambulances

POLOKWANE – Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba said she was satisfied with the distribution of the remaining 165 ambulances among Limpopo healthcare facilities, aimed at enhancing rapid emergency response.

Out of a broader project of 566 ambulances initiated last year, 66 were procured in March.

Ramathuba made this announcement last Thursday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium during the commissioning of the emergency medical services vehicles.

She noted that, in the past, staff often had to “sit because they did not have tools of trade”. “We come from a difficult situation. Today, when we handed over keys to crews, saying this is your vehicle and you will not be sharing it, you could see tears in their eyes. Imagine the impact on ordinary patients,” she remarked.

Local residents have long criticised slow emergency response times, sometimes lasting hours, and have frequently voiced their concerns through Polokwane Observer.

The MEC assured that these response times would improve with the new ambulances. On Friday, she participated in the handover of a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the Pietersburg Tertiary Hospital.

Her communication team stated that this was part of a broader initiative to equip health facilities in preparation for the National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation.

An MRI machine is a critical diagnostic tool in modern medicine, providing detailed imaging of various body parts without harmful radiation. It uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce precise images of organs, tissues, and structures inside the body”.

This machine will significantly enhance our diagnostic capabilities, enabling our clinicians to accurately diagnose a wide range of conditions, including neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, and cancer.

“We are confident that this machine will guide treatment decisions and ultimately improve patient outcomes through early detection,” she explained.