The Eastern Cape Department of Health has stepped up its intervention to strengthen Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with the rollout of new ambulances marking an important turning point in the province's efforts to rebuild a service that has faced significant fleet pressures. Recently, Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa officially released a second batch of 26 brand-new ambulances for deployment to communities across the province. The handover follows an earlier release of 21 ambulances, bringing the number of new vehicles introduced through the first two batches to 47.
The intervention forms part of a larger fleet renewal programme, with 195 new ambulances expected to be delivered between August 2026 and March 2027 through the Eastern Cape Department of Transport’s fleet arrangements. The programme aims to progressively replace ageing vehicles, improve operational capacity and strengthen emergency response across the province. The provincial fleet assessment conducted this month reflected the scale of the challenge, recording 350 ambulances, of which 223 were grounded and 128 were available for service delivery. Rather than allowing these challenges to define the service, the Department has placed fleet recovery at the centre of its EMS intervention.
The rollout is being implemented in phases, allowing ambulances to enter service as they become available. The first 21 vehicles were distributed across seven districts, while the second batch of 26 was allocated across Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Buffalo City Metro, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi, OR Tambo and Sarah Baartman. Nelson Mandela Bay Metro will be considered in the next batch, as the first 47 vehicles do not represent the final provincial allocation.
Importantly, the new ambulances are brand-new vehicles equipped with the standard equipment required for ambulance operations, including stretchers. The Department is also investing an additional R10 million in essential and specialised medical equipment, including ventilators, to strengthen the clinical capacity of EMS teams.
Speaking at the handover MEC Capa said, “For the Department of Health, the success of this programme will ultimately be measured not by the number of vehicles handed over, but by the difference they make in communities. Every ambulance placed into service represents an opportunity to improve the province’s ability to respond when families, villages, townships and towns need emergency medical assistance”.
As the rollout continues towards the delivery of 195 ambulances by March 2027, the Department of Health’s focus remains clear, turning fleet renewal into stronger operational capacity and, ultimately, a more responsive EMS service for the people of the Eastern Cape.
