A severe shortage of ambulances in the Blue Crane Route Municipality has left tens of thousands of residents vulnerable during medical emergencies.
Communities in Cookhouse, Pearston, and Somerset East, where nearly 40 000 people live, rely on a single operational ambulance even though at least three are required. Every delay in transport raises the risk of death, worsens outcomes for critically ill patients, and endangers mothers in labour.
The DA has written to the MEC for Health, Ntandokazi Capa, urging her to act without delay.
I have requested the MEC to ensure that all out-of-service vehicles are promptly repaired and returned to service within strict time frames. I also called for every ambulance on the road to be roadworthy and fully equipped with essential medical gear.
The Department must move swiftly to fill critical staffing vacancies in Emergency Medical Services, accompanied by a credible recruitment and retention plan that rewards skilled professionals for remaining in the public sector. Finally, I have called on the MEC to strengthen security measures for crews and vehicles so that paramedics can enter high-risk areas without fear for their safety.
The DA is also running a petition demanding that more ambulances be dispatched to the Blue Crane Route Municipality. The petition has garnered over 1 000 signatures and counting.
Departmental records show that the province requires a fleet of 650 ambulances, yet only 439 are available. Almost 190 of these vehicles are out of service because of mechanical faults and lengthy repair times.
Without reliable emergency cover, rural families in Blue Crane Route watch loved ones deteriorate while transport is arranged.
The Constitution guarantees the right to access health care services, including emergency treatment. Failing to meet this duty places the provincial government in breach of its legal obligations. Rural communities deserve the same level of care as those living near major hospitals in larger towns.
Residents of Blue Crane Route cannot afford to wait months for help. Ensuring timely emergency medical care is a constitutional obligation.
The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that delivers and a future built on dignity, opportunity, and honest government.