The South African Human Rights Commission began its provincial hearing on access to emergency medical services, at the East London International Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Commission deputy chairperson, Pregs Govender, told Algoa FM News that there are complaints, especially in the rural Eastern Cape, about the lack of medical emergency services.
She says there needs to be a quick response to people who are experiencing life threatening situations.
Govender says they are here to ensure that the Eastern Cape Health Department will respond with plans to address these complaints from communities.
"We will come up with clear findings and recommendations after the hearings and it will be a public document to be submitted to Parliament so that they can use their oversight responsibility, because you have the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. They are suppose to use their oversight rule and responsibility to make sure that Government departments are accountable to the Constitution" she said
One of the victims Nontsikelelo Mabona, says she had to hire a car to take her mother to hospital after she had waited more than three hours for an ambulance.
"The ambulance did not assist us and would not even give my mother oxygen or water. When we reached the hospital the doctor told me my mother was dehydrated and she passed away"
The head of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Thobile Mbengashe, says they take full responsibility as the department and they regret these issues.
