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The Gauteng health department raised concerns about the ongoing attacks on paramedic personnel when responding to emergency calls.
Gauteng health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said over the weekend, Gauteng EMS personnel, also known as the Green Angels, were robbed of their belongings at gunpoint while waiting for a security escort at a local filling station.
They were on their way to Angelo squatter camp in Boksburg, in the east of Johannesburg.
Modiba said the department condemned the continuing senseless attacks on EMS personnel as these incidents put not only the lives of the Green Angels in danger but also made it difficult for them to provide emergency medical services to those who desperately needed them.
He said:
Despite the attacks, the Green Angels continue to respond to an increased volume of calls.
“There were over 490 000 calls that were received by the Gauteng EMS communication centre between September 2021 and August 2022. Communities are urged to come forward with information that can help the police with their investigations related to the attacks on EMS personnel. Let’s not allow criminals to deny citizens their right to emergency medical,” he said.
Gauteng health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi said it was commendable that the team remained highly committed to serving the people of Gauteng.
“We, therefore, appeal to local communities to work with law-enforcement agencies to end the attacks on emergency personnel,” Dr Mokgethi said.
She added the department was going to continue to raise awareness on this matter and engage community structures and the security cluster in finding solutions to curb the attacks.
