Johannesburg – When 26-year-old Lorraine Mojela decided to pursue a career as an emergency services personnel, she never imagined that one of the greatest threats to executing her work would be frequent attacks.
Increasingly, emergency service personnel are being robbed when they respond to calls for help in some communities they serve.
Mojela is one of about 20 Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics who came under attack while responding to emergency calls during the 2022/23 financial year.
At least 15 attacks on EMS personnel happened in the previous financial year.
On the evening of Friday, (18 August 2023), Mojela, an Intermediate Life Support paramedic, reported for duty at the Gauteng EMS base in Westonaria in West Rand.
She and a colleague responded to a call from a distressed family in need of emergency services in Spook-Town, an informal settlement in Bekkersdal.
It turned out it was a hoax call to lure them into a trap.
On arrival, the paramedics were robbed of their gadgets at gunpoint by assailants.
This incident is one of the many frightening encounters that EMS personnel have had to endure at the hands of merciless criminals.
The attack on Friday left Mojela traumatised and fearful.
Mojela and her colleagues feel that they have taken an oath to service communities and still report to work to perform their duties while also trying to overcome the trauma they have been put through.
Among the many measures the Gauteng Department of Health has put in place to help EMS employees deal with traumatic experiences in the line of duty includes the introduction of Gauteng Wellness on Wheels (GWoW) – a mobile wellness centre.
The mobile wellness centre will provide counselling and physical wellness checks to Gauteng paramedics on the spot, particularly after experiencing traumatic ordeals such as violent attacks and hijackings.
“Now that the Gauteng EMS has launched the GWoW I believe that we will get the necessary additional support we need to heal from these traumatic events we go through every day in the workplace,” said Mojela.
“We will now have immediate access to psychologists who will provide counselling on the spot.
“Hopefully we will have one-on-one sessions and address how these attacks are not only affecting us personally but even our obligations to perform our duties and service the communities of Gauteng in desperate need of emergency medical care services.”
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko unveiled the GWoW mobile unit on Friday, (25 August 2023), in West Rand District.
GWoW is not only a response to the challenges experienced by Gauteng EMS paramedics but a much-needed intervention to strengthen the existing wellness support programmes (emotional, financial, and mental) to improve employee morale and outreach support.
“GWoW is a direct response to the pressing concerns we have witnessed among our emergency personnel,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“We recognise the physical and emotional toll that facing danger, dealing with hostile patients, and encountering criminal attacks can take on our paramedics.
“GWoW stands as a symbol of care and support for our dedicated emergency medical services personnel, lovingly known as the Green Angels.”
In addition, the Gauteng EMS also launched a mobile classroom bus to enhance employee training and development.
The training that will be provided in the mobile classroom will improve performance and patient experience of care, among other key areas.
The mobile classroom is equipped with a projector, desks, and sound system.
This equipment will also be used during public education programmes such as the First Responder Training, safety workshops, and for on-site meetings, where office space is not available, especially during disasters.