Gauteng EMS paramedics showing MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and acting head of department, Lesiba Malotana some of the medical and rescue equipment.
THE emergency services in Gauteng were on high alert over the past festive as a result of accidents, suicide calls and trauma cases.
This was announced by the Gauteng Department of Health, which published a list of emergency calls handled in December 2023
According to the department spokesman Motalatale Modiba, a total of 1 914 calls were registered with the Gauteng Emergency Communication Centre during the critical period between 6am on Sunday, 31 December 2023 and 6am on Monday, 1 January 2024.
"These calls included various incidents such as accidents, medical emergencies, suicides, trauma cases and others," he said.
Nkomo-Ralehoko was also on duty during the festive season when she responded to emergency calls on New Year’s Eve together with EMS staff as part of the campaign to make the festive season safer.
“The work of the Green Angels during this period has shown that the resources that the Gauteng Department of Health has invested in both personnel and equipment are being well utilised,” she said.
The operation started at the EMS Communications Centre in Midrand, where Nkomo-Ralehoko joined the dedicated team of call centre operators to respond to incoming emergency calls and ensure a quick and efficient response to save the lives of people in distress.
When comparing the data of calls reported during the past festive season with that of last year, one realises that there has been a minimal decrease in calls.
In the same period in 2022/23, the emergency call centre recorded 1,929 calls (105 accidents, 862 medical cases, 53 suicides/attempts and 482 trauma cases).
The statistics of emergencies handled between 15 December and 1 January in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 cycles show that most calls were medical in nature, followed by trauma cases, accidents and suicide-related calls.
In addition, there was a decrease in medical cases from 18 121 to 16 876. The same is true for suicide cases, which showed a slight decrease from 771 to
702.
In the meantime, the number of trauma-related cases has risen from 5,795 to 6,000. This increase was also seen in accident-related cases, which rose from 1 676 to 1 682.
Nevertheless, Nkomo-Ralehoko said Gauteng Emergency Medical Services remains committed to its mission of saving lives and providing quality emergency medical care to the people of Gauteng.
"I would like to commend our dedicated health workers in Gauteng who have worked tirelessly during this busy period. Their dedication and professionalism is commendable," Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
In addition, the MEC thanked the residents of Gauteng and visitors to the province for their continued co-operation and patience.
She appealed to them to use the primary health care facilities and only call the emergency call centre for actual medical and trauma emergencies as this will greatly improve the assistance provided to people in need.
“The statistics could be drastically improved if people acted more responsibly and considerately,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
This was announced by the Gauteng Department of Health, which published a list of emergency calls handled in December 2023
According to the department spokesman Motalatale Modiba, a total of 1 914 calls were registered with the Gauteng Emergency Communication Centre during the critical period between 6am on Sunday, 31 December 2023 and 6am on Monday, 1 January 2024.
"These calls included various incidents such as accidents, medical emergencies, suicides, trauma cases and others," he said.
Modiba broke down the calls as follows:
1. Accidents involving motor vehicles, motorbikes, pedestrians: 102 calls.
2. Medical emergencies: maternity, asthma attack, epilepsy, heart attack, collapse: 898 calls.
3. Suicides : poisoning, hanging, overdose: 42 calls
4. Trauma cases: assault, gunshot wounds, burns, etc.): 468 calls.
2. Medical emergencies: maternity, asthma attack, epilepsy, heart attack, collapse: 898 calls.
3. Suicides : poisoning, hanging, overdose: 42 calls
4. Trauma cases: assault, gunshot wounds, burns, etc.): 468 calls.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has expressed satisfaction with how the Gauteng Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responded to emergencies during the festive season.
Nkomo-Ralehoko was also on duty during the festive season when she responded to emergency calls on New Year’s Eve together with EMS staff as part of the campaign to make the festive season safer.
“The work of the Green Angels during this period has shown that the resources that the Gauteng Department of Health has invested in both personnel and equipment are being well utilised,” she said.
The operation started at the EMS Communications Centre in Midrand, where Nkomo-Ralehoko joined the dedicated team of call centre operators to respond to incoming emergency calls and ensure a quick and efficient response to save the lives of people in distress.
When comparing the data of calls reported during the past festive season with that of last year, one realises that there has been a minimal decrease in calls.
In the same period in 2022/23, the emergency call centre recorded 1,929 calls (105 accidents, 862 medical cases, 53 suicides/attempts and 482 trauma cases).
The statistics of emergencies handled between 15 December and 1 January in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 cycles show that most calls were medical in nature, followed by trauma cases, accidents and suicide-related calls.
In addition, there was a decrease in medical cases from 18 121 to 16 876. The same is true for suicide cases, which showed a slight decrease from 771 to
702.
In the meantime, the number of trauma-related cases has risen from 5,795 to 6,000. This increase was also seen in accident-related cases, which rose from 1 676 to 1 682.
Nevertheless, Nkomo-Ralehoko said Gauteng Emergency Medical Services remains committed to its mission of saving lives and providing quality emergency medical care to the people of Gauteng.
"I would like to commend our dedicated health workers in Gauteng who have worked tirelessly during this busy period. Their dedication and professionalism is commendable," Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
In addition, the MEC thanked the residents of Gauteng and visitors to the province for their continued co-operation and patience.
She appealed to them to use the primary health care facilities and only call the emergency call centre for actual medical and trauma emergencies as this will greatly improve the assistance provided to people in need.
“The statistics could be drastically improved if people acted more responsibly and considerately,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
