Mafikeng- The North West Department of Health and Social Development has added 70 vehicles to its ambulance fleet to meet the demand during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Addressing the legislature during the department's R6.2-billion budget speech in Mafikeng on Thursday, MEC Rebecca Kasienyane said the new ambulances would hit the road next month to help improve service delivery.
"I can report that we managed to procure 40 ambulances, which were distributed to our facilities in November. In addition, 70 new ambulances have already been purchased in the current financial year.
"The ambulances will be distributed equitably after the World Cup, with preference given to rural communities," she said.
Kasienyane said the department would also improve emergency medical rescue services' equipment at the provincial call and health operation centres.
She highlighted the fact that the department had procured more than 200 ambulances in the past three years, including the ones to be released next month, and that it had specially built a hospital and community health centre in preparation for the World Cup.
"We completed the Moses Kotane Hospital earlier this year and it is operational and will service the tournament. The same goes for the Tlhabane Community Health Centre, which we have built from scratch. It will come in handy for health services during the World Cup."
She said the department had also spent a "substantial amount of money" in the last two years renovating and upgrading health facilities in rural areas such as Pella, Mogwase, Bapong, Letlhabile, Boitekong, Mothutlong and Swartruggens
