The phone lines for people in need of assistance have been disconnected because the Eastern Cape’s ambulance service provider has not been paid.
As a result, the province’s department of health urged the public on Monday to use alternative phone numbers in order to access the services.
“The department of health would like to inform the people of the Eastern Cape about its telephones being temporarily down due to money owed to a service provider,” said the department in a statement on Monday.
The department said that the alternative phone numbers will make sure that people who still require medical attention get help.
Repayment of debt
“The department has written to the service provider, asking that the suspended telephone lines be reconnected again and committing that the debt will be settled at the beginning of the 2024–2025 financial year.
“We are hoping that the department’s commitment to settle the debt in April will receive a favourable response from the service provider,” the department said.
Meanwhile, in Gauteng, a hospital in Sedibeng experienced the same dilemma where a service provider cut the telephones.
Sedibeng consists of three local municipalities – Emfuleni, Midvaal and Lesedi.
Towns within these municipalities include Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Meyerton, and Heidelberg, while townships include Evaton, Sebokeng, Boipatong, Bophelong, Sharpeville, and Devon.
Poor service delivery
The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (Haitu) recently informed Sunday World that healthcare workers’ jobs are becoming more difficult as a result of the service provider’s non-payment.
“The total lack of working landline phones at all healthcare facilities in Sedibeng is because the service provider has not been paid for the service, and therefore all the phones are not working,” said Lerato Mthunzi, the general secretary of Haitu.
“Workers rely on a limited number of cellphones in order to keep the facilities running. This is the latest shocking example of poor service delivery in our [public] hospitals.
“Healthcare services are deteriorating on a daily basis, and the condition of hospitals and clinics is worsening every day.”
