The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has entered into a transformative partnership with the KZN Private Ambulance Association (KZNPAA) and the Association of Private Ambulance Services Republic of South Africa (APASSA). The cooperation agreement, which is already in effect, aims to enhance the care and reintegration of road crash survivors, aligning with RAF’s commitment to forming meaningful partnerships for the benefit of accident victims.
The new partnership addresses several critical areas of service improvement. Key objectives include ensuring faster processing of supplier claims, reducing fraud through pre-screening, minimizing delays in lodging and finalizing third-party claims, and enhancing operational efficiency. These efforts are designed to streamline the support provided to road accident victims and their families.
RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo emphasized the importance of the partnership, particularly in improving medical response times during the “golden hour”—the critical period immediately following a road accident.
“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to enhanced service delivery, ensuring that road crash survivors receive urgent, professional healthcare. It is a significant step towards improving the lives of accident victims and aligning with the RAF’s values,” said Letsoalo.
The partnership also highlights the potential for public-private collaborations to drive meaningful change. KZNPAA Secretary General Mario Stanley Booysen stated,
“This agreement is a natural progression for us, allowing us to deliver professional services while remaining financially stable and equipped with advanced healthcare technology. We are confident that this five-year partnership will bring fruitful results for road crash survivors and the country as a whole.”
The agreement will see all parties sharing resources and data to ensure smooth and efficient collaboration. APASSA Deputy Secretary General Miyelani Hlongwane noted that the partnership marks a shift in the relationship between emergency medical services and the RAF, stating,
“This collaboration allows us to move beyond discussions through the media and instead work together constructively to deliver on our mandates.”
The partnership also includes the creation and sharing of a comprehensive accident database, which will assist the RAF in making informed decisions in the future.
In the unfortunate event of a road accident, the RAF can be contacted through its dedicated contact center at 087 820 1111, or through its offices nationwide. More information can be found on their official website at www.raf.co.za.
