By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said he is confident that the provincial Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and response teams are ready across the province to deal with any medical emergencies this Easter long weekend. Sambatha said a comprehensive plan has been drawn to tackle all types of medical emergencies working closely with key stakeholders including law enforcement agencies in the province.
“As the department, we left nothing to chance in our contingency plan to deal with medical emergencies across all the major roads in the province. We will keenly keep an eye on major roads like the N12 and N14, which are prone to horrific accidents.
“Our team in in Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Dr KK) and Bojanala Districts will be ready. The department has earmarked Bojanala and the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts as areas of concern,” he said.
However, Sambatha said enough resources in a form of ambulances and emergency response vehicles will be deployed to deal with all emergency incidents, especially along the N12 and N14 respectively.
He further said the Bojanala District has a total allocation of 22 ambulances and 5 response vehicles, whilst Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, has been allocated 16 ambulances and 8 response vehicles.
“These ambulances include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) vehicles. We plead with our road users who will be travelling across the length and breadth of our province, to remain vigilant.
“We urge them to abstain from use of intoxicating substances, including drugs and alcohol while driving. I urge all road users to Arrive Alive this Easter long weekend” said Sambatha.
He said all the districts are on high alert, including Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Districts. Sambatha said the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, has a total fleet of 18 ambulances and 4 response vehicles with Ngaka Modiri Molema having 11 ambulances, a rescue bakkie and 4 emergency vehicles.
“As we tackle medical emergencies across the province, we need to recognise the role of the private emergency response fleet service provider, who augments our services across the province and finally wish all residents of the province an incident free Easter long weekend,” he said.
The Guardian 