Gauteng Health and Social Development, MEC Qedani Mahlangu, has condemned the alleged rape of a paramedic at Roodepoort Durban Deep, West of Johannesburg last week.
The paramedics from the Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services were accosted by three armed men while responding to a call of a child who had suffered burns. The male paramedics were chased away and their two female colleagues were taken to a nearby veld where the alleged rape took place.
Mahlangu says incidents such as this one do not auger well for the department’s plans to improve ambulances response time.
“Now, paramedics will have to wait for police escort before responding to an emergency. This will not only delay the ambulance response time but will lead to many people losing their lives”, says Mahlangu.
The provincial Emergency Medical Services had to take over the running of ambulances around the area where the incident took place, because paramedics at Rooderpoort were refusing to service the area.
MEC Mahlangu appeals to members of the public to desist from attacking medical personnel and their vehicles as well as making prank call as this hampers the much needed emergency services.
Last week MEC Mahlangu announced plans by the department to ensure an effective health system. The plans include the stationing of ambulances at clinics and hospitals rather than far away depots. This will enable them to respond quickly to emergencies and improve communication with accident and trauma units.
Ambulances are already stationed at the following facilities: Bekkersdal clinic, Yusuf Dadoo hospital, Leratong hospital in the West Rand, Odi hospital, Jubilee hospital, and Soshanguve clinic in Tshwane. In Ekurhuleni they are stationed at Daveyton main clinic, Germiston hospital, Natalspruit hospital, Pholosong hospital and J Dumane Community Health Centre. In Johannesburg they are at Hillbrow clinic, Charlotte Maxeke hospital and Mofolo clinic.
For inquiries contact:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
8 March 2010
