By Patience Gondo
THE ambulance service operated by Beitbridge District Hospital is not free and remain payable, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe said on Thursday.
He said this during the tour of the 160 bed Beitbridge Hospital.
Addressing concerns and public misconceptions around emergency medical services in the district, Nguluvhe said residents should understand the use of an ambulance attracts a cost in line with national health service policies.
“The ambulance is not for free. It is payable and this applies to Beitbridge as well as all other places,” said Nguluvhe.
The clarification comes amid growing demand for emergency medical services in Beitbridge, a busy border town that frequently records road traffic accidents, medical emergencies and referrals to larger hospitals in Gwanda and Bulawayo.
Beitbridge District Hospital relies on its ambulance for emergency response and inter-facility referrals, particularly for critical patients who require specialised care outside the district.
However officials say fuel, maintenance, medical supplies, and staffing costs make it impossible for the service to be offered free of charge.
Nguluvhe said the ambulance service forms part of the broader public health system and is governed by cost recovery measures meant to ensure sustainability.
“The charges are not meant to deny people access to healthcare, but to keep the service operational,” he said.
Meanwhile private ambulance services have also been introduced in Beitbridge to complement public healthcare delivery through subscription based medical emergency cover.
According to information provided by Discovery Ambulance Services, the service offers 24-hour healthcare and emergency response in partnership with local medical centres.
The subscription package costs US$10 per month for adults and US$5 per month for children under the age of 18.
Benefits include 24/7 emergency ambulance access, access to a 24-hour medical centre, and a toll-free emergency number (Dial 991).
Additional services under the package include inter-facility transfers to referral hospitals such as Gwanda and Masvingo, free blood pressure checks, basic medical check-ups every six months, blood sugar testing, health education sessions and basic first aid training and certification.
Hence these services are not free, but operate on a paid or subscription basis and are meant to enhance emergency medical response in high-demand areas such as Beitbridge.