Western Cape paramedics attacked in hoax call

An EMS vehicle on duty. Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency(ANA)

An EMS vehicle on duty. Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency(ANA)

Published Aug 19, 2020

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Cape Town – Western Cape Health has condemned the attack on two paramedics who were responding to a call in Gugulethu this past weekend.

The two were severely traumatised and were booked off due to acute stress.

According to the department, a hoax call came through to the EMS communication centre on Saturday for emergency assistance as there was reportedly a pedestrian who had been knocked down.

As the paramedics approached the scene, two men flagged them down to show them the location of the incident. As one paramedic exited the ambulance to assist, a gun was pointed at her chest. The suspects then stole her cellphone.

Lentegeur district manager Shakira Hartley said: “Witnessing how traumatised the officials are after an attack has been tough. There are officials who have been away from work for years due to an attack, and are then attacked again upon return. Dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and gearing up for some tough days is challenging on its own. We now have to contend with the increase of attacks that is demanding and equally exhausting.”

Meanwhile, EMS responded to 3 532 incidents in the province over the weekend. There were 91 incidents in red zone areas and 85 transport-related incidents.

The top 10 incidents included: non-cardiac pain (576); respiratory complaints (387); obstetric complaints (340); weapon assaults (262); abdominal complaints (175); neurological complaints (163); vomiting/ diarrhoea (152); forensic pathology (135); musculo-skeletal complaints (130); and patients unresponsive (104).

Cape Argus