The Democratic Alliance said it had asked the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate the suitability of the ‘Medical Motorbikes’ that the Eastern Cape Department of Health launched a week ago for patient transport in the province.
DA MP, Siviwe Gwarube, said it was their contention that these motorbikes are in contravention of section 27 of the Constitution which guarantees access to healthcare and prohibits the state from denying anyone access to emergency medical care.
“These motorbikes are not suitable for patient transport anywhere in the country, let alone in the rural Eastern Cape with little to no road infrastructure. This intervention by the Eastern Cape is denying access to healthcare and emergency care to those who will be confined to using this transport system,” she said.
Gwarube said this mode of transport for the sick, needy and the elderly is unsafe and is undignified.
“Based on these reasons, this R10 million programme that the Eastern Cape government seeks to roll out across the province is in direct contravention of our Constitutionally-protected basic human rights and makes a mockery of those who will be forced to use this mode of transport,” she added.
“It is critical that the SAHRC undertakes an investigation as soon as possible before this programme is implemented in the province and lives are endangered in the process,” Gwarube said.
Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, officiated at the launch of the Scooter Project in East London last Friday, saying in a tweet that “these multi-purpose units are extremely versatile and can transport patients or deliver medication in rural communities.”
