Otjozondjupa EMS at breaking point with only 2 ambulances

Otjozondjupa's emergency medical services are stretched to breaking point, with just two functioning ambulances serving a district of more than 54 000 people.

"When one ambulance responds to an emergency, only one remains available. There are multiple days when both ambulances are out, leaving us with no ambulance available to respond to emergencies," Otjiwarongo State Hospital emergency care technician Larissa Kurz told a parliamentary committee last week.

Kurz also raised concerns over the condition of emergency medical equipment, saying the ambulances were supplied without the necessary equipment and staff continue to use equipment that has been in service for 30 to 40 years, much of which is no longer fully functional.

She said the district urgently requires upgraded equipment and additional resources to cope with growing demand.

Kurz said the district's emergency medical services extend beyond Otjiwarongo, covering surrounding areas including Omaruru, Kalkfeld, Okakarara and nearby clinics, placing significant pressure on available resources.

She told the committee that Omaruru alone refers between 70 and 80 patients to Otjiwarongo every month. Ambulance crews transporting these patients spend an average of six to seven hours on referral trips, reducing the number of vehicles available to respond to emergencies in the district.

The district has only 13 emergency care practitioners, a number Kurz described as insufficient to meet operational demands, particularly once shift rotations, leave and other staffing requirements are taken into account.

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