mrselfdestrukt's Journal: News Flash: Gang robs ambulance, patient.

Eastern Cape - An ambulance driver and his pregnant patient were robbed by a gang of armed men who ambushed them on their way to hospital in Qumbu, the Eastern Cape health department said on Thursday.

On discovering the road blocked with stones, the ambulance driver stopped to move them, said spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo.

"Five armed men emerged. They assaulted him with a gun," he said.

They robbed the driver of money and a cellphone, also robbing the pregnant patient in the back of the vehicle of her cellphone.

"Our concern as a health department is that this could affect service delivery in the area," said Kupelo.

Concerns about delivery of healthcare

It was not the first time health workers had been the target of criminals. Last week an ambulance was stolen and last year a mobile clinic was hijacked.

Kupelo called on the community to help safeguard health workers, who were there to assist them when they were in trouble.

The resources in rural areas were limited and with drivers traumatised or in fear of their lives there could be delays should it be necessary to verify each call-out and ensure a police escort for every ambulance dispatched, he said.