Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health has called on members of the public not to attack and block Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel from accessing and exiting their communities during protests.
The department said such conduct does not only endanger the lives of EMS personnel but also deprives members of the community of critical services.
On Tuesday, at Zithobeni near Bronkhorstspruit, EMS staff could not respond to a call by a diabetic patient due to blockaded roads as a result of protest over alleged election list nominations.
Also, a community member with rubber bullet wound could not be assisted immediately as ambulance crew was prevented by the protesting public.
“At all times, there is a need to minimise loss of lives and prevent 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,” said Gauteng MEC for Health Qedani Mahlangu. – SAnews.gov.za
