The MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, paid an unannounced visit to the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital last Thursday.

She discovered that only four ambulances were in workable order instead of nine. It was said that five of the ambulances had been out of action and at the garage for service for about three weeks.

Ramathuba was impressed to find everything in order, adding that it was one of the cleanest hospitals in the province. She inspected the wards, toilets, bathrooms and maternity ward, as well as emergency services. She also spoke to patients at the hospital. She mentioned that the purpose of her visit was to assess the state of operations and the quality of services rendered at the hospital.

She told Limpopo Mirror that the reason for the surprise visit was to see how patients were being treated in government hospitals and to observe the challenges facing the staff.

Commenting about the ambulance situation, Ramathuba summoned the provincial emergency services department, saying that she was shocked at what she found. “This is unacceptable, especially when we have a budget and equipment purchased and we still have few ambulances,” Ramathuba said. “Someone will have to account for this.”