Kealeboga Sibiya
In a commitment to improve the quality of public health for over 80% of the Northern Cape population, Premier Dr Zamani Saul and Health MEC, Nontobeko Vilakazi, launched a fleet of 60 Emergency Medical Services(EMS) vehicles on Tuesday, 8 September, in Kimberley.
The launch was attended by MEC for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Mariam Kibi, Acting Mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality Isaac Ruiter, and other stakeholders.
Saul said it was the sixth time he had handed over EMS vehicles during his tenure as Premier of the Northern Cape.
He posed the question, ‘How far are we?
“In this Province we have acquired and deployed over 200 EMS vehicles, costing over R450 million. It may not be enough, but we’re on the right track. Ensuring that over 80% of the population in the Northern Cape relying on public health has access to good, quality public health. Accounting for R9.7 billion of our provincial budget, followed by the Department of Education, the second-highest allocation of R9.5 Billion,” said Saul.
Saul explained the importance of these two departments: “They are very important areas to focus on to improve our education and health systems; hence, we need to invest in them.
Most of our people rely on public health and education sector; therefore, improving quality of life, health, and education intersect. Ten to 15 years from now, we will have different people who have been exposed to quality health and education, having improved their lives for the better.”
Reflecting on the department’s progress under the provincial government’s turnaround plan, Vilakazi said she was deployed, along with Oupa Phiri, to focus on the 10-Point Turnaround Plan.
“Today we are here to see a part of the plan coming to fruition. We remain committed to delivering services to our communities, let’s continue to save lives,” said Vilakazi.
Following the ribbon cutting, Saul led the delegation to explore and tour the and patient transport vehicles, which will strengthen emergency medical services and support the delivery of healthcare to communities throughout the province.
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