Chairperson, the ANC believes in strengthening primary health care, especially in rural areas, by eradicating the backlogs of the health service. Thus, the North West department of health and social development will be putting 40 new ambulances on the road in the coming week in a further effort to improve emergency services throughout the province.
At a cost of R17 million, the ambulances will be distributed equitably and preference will be given to rural communities. The move was necessitated by the fact that most people in the rural areas do not have adequate transportation to and from hospitals in cases of emergencies.
The ANC welcomes the initiative and sees it as a means of making health care service available to all South Africans as well as ensuring a better health outcome. It is a way of improving ordinary people's lives and ensuring service delivery. I thank you.