Buthelezi EMS and its joint venture partner FIM Aviation have so far been unable to provide an aeromedical service in terms of the new tender – either leaving patients stranded or requiring the Limpopo Department of Health to make use of other private sector providers based in Gauteng.
ER24’s Werner Vermaak confirmed on Monday that they were providing a service to the Limpopo health department and had already done at least two cases using a Gauteng-based aircraft. He said the cost was in the region of R42,000 per hour. Regarding Buthelezi EMS/FIM Aviation’s delay in starting the aeromedical service, the Limpopo Department of Health said: “BEMS/FIM has been awarded a contract and as per bid documents, BEMS/FIM indicated a period to fully start up the service”. The department did not provide an indication as to how long this period would be.