WC Health Dept highlights challenges in providing emergency medical services
Western Cape Department of Health officials delivered a presentation to the committee, highlighting its challenges in providing emergency medical services in the province.
Western Cape EMS. Picture: Supplied/Western Cape government
CAPE TOWN - Access to rural areas, a shortage of resources, and safety concerns were raised as challenges on Wednesday when the standing committee on health and wellness was briefed by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.
Western Cape Department of Health officials delivered a presentation to the committee, highlighting its challenges in providing emergency medical services in the province.
The provincial MEC for Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, said the department is still recovering from budget cuts over the last two years.
"As a province, we have prioritised health and if my memory serves, health takes up approximately 34% of the entire Western Cape government's budget, which shows that there is a priority for health."
Wenger said despite an increased budget this year, the department is still not in a position to grow.
"It means that we have high service pressures and we have to do more with what we have, so we're working very hard at making sure we can be as efficient as possible."
Wenger said the department recently launched a think tank with the private sector to create measures that can assist with emergency medical services.