Ministry Of Health Department Condemns Violent Attacks On Emergency Medical Services

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness condemned frequent attacks on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams, noting that there have been already 10 violent crimes reported this year.

The official government website of Western Cape issued a statement, mentioning these "senseless assaults" on EMS members across the city, Cape Town, which is the capital of South Africa.

While the department noted there have been more than 10 violent attacks reported this year, they did note most of those attacks did not cause any serious physical injuries. Although healthcare services have been disrupted and staff members are traumatized.

"Cases have been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation," they added.

Considering the last week's incidents, EMS teams were targeted in three different areas including Parow, Langa, and Pinelands. The statement requested the residents of these areas to come forward and report to the SAPS if they have any information related to these three attacks.

The department doubled down on its statement that it won't tolerate assaults on its EMS personnel, adding that such assaults often leave the members "traumatized and fearing for their lives while fulfilling their duties."

The statement revealed details of those three incidents that took place over the weekend.

"On Saturday (March 4), an ambulance crew escaped a robbery at gunpoint as they were traveling down Francie van Zijl Drive towards Elsies River. On Sunday (March 5), a crew member was slapped in the face by a patient who refused assistance in Langa." They added, "On Sunday (March 5), cable theft occurred at the EMS base in Pinelands."

The department pointed out that "the unpredictable work environment exposes EMS personnel to many risks, violence should not be one of them," adding that staff safety is a high priority and they will "continue to provide the necessary employee assistance programme interventions to the affected personnel and implement essential measures to help ensure that EMS personnel are kept safe."

They went on to share the achievements of the EMS team over the weekend, disclosing that the staff members had responded to 5,827 incidents of which 31% were of a life-threatening nature. Several patients were taken to Tygerberg, Worcester and George Schuur Hospitals to get proper medical care.

Most of these patients were suffering from various issues including 915 people with chest pains while 817 patients were admitted due to weapon assault. There were 530 respiratory complaints and 376 physical assaults.

Joshua Pillay, who works in the Lentegeur neighborhood as an EMS member, shared his reason behind working in the team. Pillay explained that being a part of the EMS team, allows him to take care of vulnerable people as most of the patients are often dealing with poverty, which eventually takes a toll on their clinical conditions.

"The most rewarding part of my job is to see a critically injured or sick person being helped, and seeing the positive change," he added. "Working for the EMS enables a person to access continuity of care."