The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape condemns, in the strongest terms, the attacks on Emergency Medical Services personnel on Saturday and Sunday, 28 & 29 March 2020. There were four attacks over just the past week alone.
MPP Wendy Philander said: “These senseless attacks are particularly concerning at a time like this, where our medical personnel are so fundamentally important in the fight against COVID-19. The attacks often occur in what the Western Cape Government has labelled as red zones and where communities need these services the most. EMS staff nonetheless risk their lives to provide critical services.”
SAPS escort EMS staff to red zones, and ambulances are fit with trackers. EMS staff receive trauma counselling after attacks in conjunction with the ongoing senior EMS leadership support programme. The provincial Department of Health works with community stakeholders as well as private sector stakeholders to continue to provide critical services despite precarious circumstances.
MPP Wendy Philander added: ”On the weekend of 13-15 March 2020, EMS staff responded to over 5 000 calls for help in the Western Cape. This level of service load places immense pressure on staff, and having to deal with criminal attacks on top of this is completely unacceptable and unnecessary.
In this unprecedented times, where our health care services are already stretched, we cannot allow for these senseless acts to continue. Doing our part as responsible communities, we need to ensure that those looking after us, in this case emergency staff, are unharmed in executing their duties. I call on each and every member of our communities to do their part to ensure we protect the safety of EMS staff. If residents suspect or witness any of these attacks, please report it to the nearest police station immediately.”
The DA in the Western Cape supports the whole of society approach to fight these senseless crimes, especially as we face unprecedented times of pressure on our healthcare system.
