THE IFP has welcomed new regulations announced by the KZN Department of Health relating to permits for ambulance operators.

IFP spokesperson on health, Ncamisile Nkwanyana, said her party was pleased that the department was taking the needs of patients seriously.

‘In the current unregulated environment in the province there are no guarantees that public and private emergency care services are manned by registered and adequately trained staff and that adequate equipment is available,’ she said.

‘Fly-by-night private ambulance operators have been hiding behind Section 27 (3) of the Constitution.

‘Subsection 3 stipulates that nobody may be denied emergency services, but unscrupulous operators rush for the pockets of the patients instead of saving lives.

‘It is an undisputed fact that paramedics are required to pass training programmes accredited by the Health Professions Council of SA.

‘All ambulance services must be accredited by the SA Private Ambulance Emergency Services Association in order to operate legally.

‘It was high time that the provincial health department took action to regulate private ambulance services.’