Johannesburg – Gauteng Emergency Medical Service (EMS) recorded over 1 900 emergencies during the festive period.
During the critical period between 6:00 on Sunday, (31 December 2023), and 6:00, (1 January 2024), the Gauteng Emergency Communication Centre recorded a total of 1 914 calls.
These calls included various incidents such as accidents, medical emergencies, suicides, trauma cases, and others.
The breakdown of the calls is as follows:
- Accidents (including a motor vehicle, motorbike, and pedestrians): 102 calls
- Medical emergencies (including maternity, asthma attack, epilepsy, heart attack, and collapse): 898 calls
- Suicides related (including poisoning, hanging, and overdose): 42 calls
- Trauma cases (assault, gunshot, and burns): 468 calls
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has expressed satisfaction at how the Gauteng Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responded to emergencies during the festive period.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko joined EMS personnel on the ground on New Year’s Eve as they responded to emergency calls as part of the Safer Festive Season campaign.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said that the work done by the Green Angels during this period demonstrated that the resources that the Gauteng Department of Health has invested both in personnel and equipment over time are being put to good use.
The operation kicked off at the EMS Communication Centre in Midrand, where MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko joined the dedicated team of call centre operators to respond to incoming emergency calls to ensure prompt and efficient responses to save the lives of those in distress.
The statistics of emergency cases attended to between 15 December to 01 January in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 cycles show that most of the calls were medical-related, followed by trauma cases, accidents, and suicide-related calls.
“I want to commend our dedicated healthcare workers across the Gauteng health system who have been working tirelessly during this busy period,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“Their dedication and professionalism is commendable.”
In addition, the MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko also thanked residents of Gauteng and those visiting the province for their continued cooperation and patience.
However, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko pleaded with residents to make use of primary health facilities and only call the Emergency Communication Centre for actual medical and trauma emergencies as this will greatly improve responses to those in distress.
“The statistics could be improved upon drastically if people were to act more responsibly and with consideration of others,” stated MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
