UNROADWORTHY PARAMEDICS’ VEHICLE SERVICING DUMAKO

MBABANE – Contrary to the fact that paramedics’ objective is to ensure safety for people, it is not the case with the people of Dumako, as they are transported by a faulty car to various hospitals.

Dumako is in the outskirts of Hlatikhulu in the Shiselweni region. The EMS base is one of the new stations that were recently opened. It was opened by Health Minister, Sibongile Simelane on April 9, 2018 much to the delight of the poverty stricken community. Sources within the area have disclosed that the vehicle, a white Landcruiser is not roadworthy, thus becoming an extreme danger to the patients, as well as the EMS employees. It is said the car has no interior lights, thus becoming a problem when transporting patients to hospital at night. In an incident that happened recently, it is alleged that cellphones light played a major role to provide light at night when a woman almost gave birth inside the vehicle, something that shocked the relatives who were accompanying the pregnant lady.

In addition, the back door is also faulty, as it is wrapped with a bandage to ensure that it closes properly. Sometimes when the car is in motion, the door just opens, thus causing a hazard to the people ferried by the vehicle. According to residents of the area, relatives of patients have resorted to hiring cars in the dusty area than relying on the EMS car. It is said they preferred spending huge sums of money to go to various clinics than to risk their lives by using the government vehicle. “Our lives are in massive danger here. We are afraid that these paramedics’ car may roll with us while they are trying to help us. The vehicle they are using is not even roadworthy. If it is not changed, i am afraid more people will be exposed to danger,” said a resident. Another source within the government entity revealed that the staff feared for their lives while using the car.

He revealed that while attending to the patients, they also needed to be cautious while travelling in the vehicle, thus not entirely concentrating on the job. “We make sure that we protect ourselves at all costs in the car because we may end up in hospital as well,” said the source, who preferred to remain anonymous. However, Sifiso Dlamini, who is the senior Regional paramedic for the Shiselweni region, said the last time he checked, the car was not bad. He went on to say that they did their best to make sure that they checked the vehicles before being used. Dlamini went on to say that if the vehicle had problems, it could be caused by the bad road. He said they would communicate with the ones using the car. “We have not received any reports related to that matter. We normally make sure that the cars are checked before being used,” he said.
 

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