Poor management, inadequate communications, a shortage of staff, and the lack of equipment are just some of the reasons state emergency medical services are barely functional in parts of the country. This report looks at the best and the worst of South African ambulance services.

Key shots

02:38 ambulance rushing to the site of an accident
02:46 crashed car with the blinker still on
05:14 paramedics protesting against poor work conditions
12:51 helicopter used by emergency services
17:43 battered ambulances left to rot in the desert
20:38 paramedics in training
23:36 ambulance on accident spot
24:27 badly injured patient receiving treatment