RED ALERT: ‘It was hopeless’ – Gqeberha family waits 12 hours as emergency calls go unanswered
Nelson Mandela Bay’s ambulance crisis is deepening, with a family forced to wait half a day for emergency medical help for an ill 17-year-old. The family has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission, as ambulance shortages, faulty emergency lines and under-equipped vehicles plague Eastern Cape.
A family in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, faced a harrowing situation when they waited over 12 hours for an ambulance to arrive for a seriously ill 17-year-old boy. The family repeatedly called emergency medical services but were met with unanswered calls and faulty communication lines. Luzuko Gedze, a relative of the boy, lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission, expressing frustration over the lack of access to a critical life-saving service.
The ordeal began when a disabled brother of the family broke down in tears about his condition during a traditional ceremony. The family attempted to seek help at the local department of social development, but their efforts were met with more challenges. Despite multiple calls to emergency numbers and contacting the hospital, the ambulance finally arrived at 11:15 PM, more than half a day after the initial call.
The family's experience highlights the dire state of the ambulance service in Eastern Cape, which is grappling with a shortage of ambulances and under-equipped vehicles. This situation has raised concerns about the government's ability to provide essential healthcare services to its citizens.
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