By Celani Sikhakhane
- The MK says KZN’s rural communities are suffering because ambulances can’t reach them on poorly maintained gravel roads.
- The province has only a third of the ambulances it should have and many of these aren’t working properly.
Access to quality healthcare for KZN’s poor rural communities remains a dream because roads are too bad for ambulances.
Speaking during a debate in the KZN Legislature on Thursday, MKP member Phumlani Mfeka attacked both the Transport and Health departments over the crisis.
“Madam Speaker, the areas where our poor people live have no proper roads. They have gravel roads that are not even maintained, which is a big crisis for emergency vehicles when they try to reach poor communities,” said Mfeka.
He slammed Transport MEC Siboniso Duma for not spending his road-building budget while asking for more money. He also criticised Finance MEC Francois Rodgers’ cost-cutting measures as hurting poor black communities.
Mfeka says KZN has only 450 ambulances instead of the 1,400 ordered by former Health Minister Joe Phaahla, and many aren’t working properly.
Duma defended his department, saying they’ve built over 2,000km of new roads in the past 20 years.
Mfeka also accused Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi of failing to run her department like the private sector to protect poor people’s lives.
Pictured above: UMkhonto weSizwe Party Member of KZN Legislature Phumlani Mfeka slams the KZN Government on its failure to maintain rural and township roads for emergency health care.
Source: KZN Legislature
