Emergency services workers should not – and do not expect to be – robbed or held at gunpoint while saving lives, but it is happening on an increasing basis, prompting a local paramedic to launch an online petition to increase awareness about the targeted attacks.
Levy Leburu, an EMS worker based in Jouberton, near Klerksdorp, in North West Province, started his petition – which has already garnered more than 5 000 signatures – in August, writes Gcina Ntsaluba for Health-e News.
“I am concerned about our safety. When you are responding to a life-threatening situation, the last thing you want to worry about is your safety,” he said.
“We need people to know what is going on because there certainly aren’t enough police (officers) out there to escort all of the ambulances.”
Leburu hopes the petition will convince the government to take their lives seriously, and provide armed security escorts for paramedics and ambulance crews travelling into dangerous areas or hotspots – otherwise known as Red Zones.
The ultimate goal is to collect 10 000 signatures, and which will then be presented to the North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha.
Sambatha has strongly condemned the attacks on EMS personnel – in August two female paramedics were held at gunpoint in Jouberton near Klerksdorp while attending to a call – and said they “deeply disturbed” him.
He said the department was working with the security cluster to provide armed guards to escort ambulance crews in areas such as Jouberton and Kanana, which are known hotspots.
“But this is a temporary measure. We will also continue to engage the cluster for a permanent solution.”
Countrywide scourge
The Eastern Cape Health Department has also expressed concern about the attacks on EMS personnel.
“These are spread across the province, but more prevalent in Nelson Mandela Bay. One attack is one too many,” said Mkhululi Ndamase, spokesperson for the department.
The latest attacks were in Tsolo and Qumbu, where ambulances were pelted with stones while transporting patients.
Fortunately, no one was injured.
“Communities must report those behind the attacks. The SAPS must arrest perpetrators. And our courts must impose harsh sentences on those found guilty,” he said.
In Gauteng, the Health Department said that it’s not just EMS workers being attacked, but healthcare workers in general.
Motalatale Modiba, spokesperson for the department, said Gauteng EMS has held meetings with community leaders to try to curb the attacks. One of the measures include having pick-up points in informal areas with no house numbers.
“We have extended the services of the employee health wellness programme to 24 hours for all EMS personnel for trauma diffusion, counselling and referral to social workers. This has seen the department launch the first ever Wellness on Wheels intervention. Gauteng is the only province to offer such a unique intervention,” he said.
Cape attacks on the rise
The Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness has seen about 35 attacks this year, ranging from vehicle stoning and damages, to verbal abuse as well as physical attacks.
Mark van der Heever, department spokesperson, said when paramedics enter a Red Zone area or if they suspect danger, they are escorted by SAPS.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Paramedics hijacked, robbed in Pretoria
KZN paramedics robbed at gunpoint
Robbers attack EMS crews, steal ECG machines, equipment, phones
Paramedics attacked while waiting for SAPS escort