On some days there are only five to seven ambulances to serve Port Elizabeth’s 1,3-million residents, the Herald Online reported on Wednesday.
This means one ambulance for 260 000 people. The national norm is one ambulance per 10 000.
Ambulance staff, who asked not to be named, said they were becoming increasingly frustrated as they were unable to cope with the huge demand.
A staff shortage also means longer reaction times and paramedics regularly having to respond to a call alone, which they are not allowed to do.
Another paramedic claimed that many workers ware owed overtime pay for the last two months.
”Nobody is interested in working overtime anymore because you are not allowed to work more than four shifts and, if you do, you don’t get paid [for the time exceeding this].”
Bisho emergency medical and rescue services director Shanks Maharaj said the seven vehicles were adequate as paramedics were maintaining the workload.
Maharaj said although they were short-staffed in places like Humansdorp, nobody was working alone. He also said some were abusing their right to work overtime.
”If you work overtime, you will get paid. I am not aware that there is any money outstanding for the last two months.”
Chairperson of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union Mpumelelo Qina said he feared they would not be able to cope during the 2010 Soccer World Cup if the situation was not resolved. — Sapa