Please desist from attacking, preventing emergency medial services' – Gauteng Health

17 June 2016

The Gauteng Department of Health wishes to plead with members of the community to desist from attacking and preventing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel from accessing and exiting their communities during protests.  

Such conduct does not only endanger the lives of EMS personnel but also deprives members of the community of critical services, which without their lives are at risk.

On Tuesday (14 June 2016), at Zithobeni near Bronkhorstspruit EMS staff could not respond to a call by diabetic patient due to blockaded roads as the result of protest over alleged election list nominations. 

Additionally, a community member with rubber bullet wound could not be assisted immediately as ambulance crew was prevented by the protesting public.

MEC for Health, Ms Qedani Mahlangu said: “At all times there is a need to minimise loss of lives and prevention of long-term complications due to emergency care being delayed unnecessarily, we therefore implore members of the community to allow staff to do their work without any hindrance.”

Issued by Steve Mabona on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Health, 17 June 2016