Dumsile Mbatha

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, admitted to a parliamentary question from DA MP, Siviwe Gwarube, that medical scooters in the Eastern Cape are not suitable for patients.

The Scooter Project that was launched by the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) costed R10 million. Mkhize said the national Department of Health was not consulted on specifications before the launch of scooters.

“The province has been advised that none of these scooters will be used as ambulances because they do not meet the specific requirements as provided for in the EMS Regulations, such as, minimum patient compartment space and equipment required,” he said.

Lethiwe Buthelezi who is a paramedic said that the scooters were a bad idea from the beginning, some patients require medical attention while they are still in an ambulance.

“It was going to be difficult for paramedics to attend patients while they are in a scooter, there is no space there. Patients were also going to catch dust along the way, and require oxygen immediately,” Buthelezi said.

However, the purpose of the ECDOH was to widen access to primary health care and deliver medicine to the most remote areas of the Eastern Cape.

Last month it was also reported that the tender that was awarded to a King William’s Town Company was under investigation.

Picture: sapeople.com