PRETORIA - Crime, staff shortages and a lack of life-saving services are deepening the crisis around paramedics’ ability to respond to emergencies.
The Gauteng health department has welcomed the 15-year conviction of one attacker in connection with the kidnapping, assault and hijacking of four EMS officials in Pretoria last year.
READ: Crime in SA | Concerns around safety of EMS workers
But is this enough to deter other criminals? Most don’t think so. Increasingly, EMS personnel are refusing to enter high-risk areas without a police escort.
What does this say for the future of urgent medical care in the province.
JP von Benecke from the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services, spoke to eNCA.