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Johannesburg - A total of 317 ambulances will be available in Gauteng from early May for the Soccer World Cup, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson said on Saturday.

"At the moment 196 are operational but the province will buy 121 more, which will be available if needed," said EMS spokesperson, Dr Vernon Wessels.

The province will aim to mobilise a maximum of 97 ambulances daily, said Gauteng EMS CEO Nkateko Sithole. She was among a delegation of health officials who visited the emergency medical centre in Midrand on Saturday afternoon, which was led by Deputy Health Minister Molefi Sefularo.

The Gauteng province's medical service operations will be centralised at the centre during the Soccer World Cup.

A disaster management centre will also function in Midrand from May, Wessels said.

Sithole gave the deputy minister's delegation a tour of the facilities, including the disaster management centre.

They were also shown specialised emergency medical vehicles such as medical trucks (capable of transporting 12 patients at a time), armoured medical trucks (in case of violent uprisings) and mobile communications units.

Representatives of the health department, SAPS, provincial traffic, local EMS and private sectors will consolidate their information so that medical and other emergency services are prepared in case of an emergency.

Earlier on Saturday the delegation, which included Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu and Surgeon General Vijay Ramlakan, visited the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital as well as the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Head of Trauma at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Professor Jacque Goosen took the delegation on a tour of state hospitals to inspect their readiness for the World Cup.

He said violence related to alcohol abuse presented the biggest challenge to healthcare services, particularly during sporting activities.

Injuries due to stabbing, shooting, falling from buildings and motor vehicle accidents increased during sporting events, Goosen said.

"Community parties during sport events are a problem, not the people within the stadiums," he said.

Mahlangu shared his sentiments, adding that "fan parks will be a source of pain".

Surgeon-General of the SA Military Health Services, Dr Vijay Ramlakan said that satisfying FIFA health services requirements was not an issue, but rather providing adequate healthcare to South Africans injured during parties during the six weeks of the event.

The Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital was also given the thumbs-up, with Sefularo saying the Soweto based hospital was ready to service the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

He said the hospital was especially important during these ceremonies because of its proximity to the Soccer City Stadium in Soweto.

Hospital staff would be doubled on match days, said Ramlakan.