EMS warns of delays in hotspots

Some residents said they will wait outside for an ambulance

THE provincial health department has warned of delays when paramedics respond to emergencies in areas identified as hotspots, saying it will not compromise the safety of its workers.

Paramedics in the province fear for their lives when entering areas plagued by gang violence and crime.

Yesterday the department launched operation Khuseleka (Be Safe) aimed at addressing staff safety.

MEC for health, Nomafrench Mbombo, said their safety partners are giving EMS information and intelligence about the situation on the ground in all areas.

“This arrangement remains in place and EMS teams have the option to call for assistance, or may opt to wait for a situation to be normalised prior to entering an unsafe area,” Mbombo said.

In cases where the situation is deemed unsafe for staff, patients will be informed that the response will be delayed due to safety concerns. “The impact on our EMS response times, however, may cause life-saving services to be delayed – which is why we require maximum support from communities, police and other groupings.”

At least 70 criminal cases such as robbery, theft, damage to property, assault and hijacking of paramedics were reported in the past 12 months. Of the 70, 42 incidents were reported this year. Ten people have been arrested in connection with the attacks.

EMS manager, Pumzile Papu, said people are informed immediately to expect delays. Residents in Philippi had indicated they would wait outside when an ambulance is on its way, Papu said.

“We have adopted a policy of load and go. We are not messing around and we don’t treat patients in their houses. We treat them in the ambulance and are escorted by police out of those areas.”

Papu added: “We are being robbed of cellphones; we are soft targets. Remember this is not happening in isolation whereby only the paramedics are targeted. Even the (delivery trucks of the) bakeries and the fire departments are,” he said.

Mbombo said addressing the safety of healthcare workers was a work in progress.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said providing escorts was normally in response to requests in areas deemed as unsafe.