Bloemfontein - Eighty-five percent of the Free State’s emergency medical personnel don't have the appropriate qualifications.

Provincial Health MEC Benny Malakoane made this announcement during an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) seminar held at Bophelo House in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

According to the health board an Advanced Life Support qualification is a prerequisite for every individual who mans ambulances.

Malakoane says most of the ambulance personnel in the Free State only possess the basic ambulance assistance qualification.

Malakoane says the province has 1 621 Emergency Medical Services employees and it will be a tall order to get every one of them equipped with the necessary qualifications.

He says the existing challenge is making sure all the candidates pass the training process and studies.

Qualifications vary from a one year course to a four year degree qualification.

Thandi Xaba/OFM News