Gauteng Emergency Medical Services successfully respond to New Year’s Eve emergency calls

The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) recorded a total of 1 914 calls for emergencies on New Year’s Eve (December 31) and New Year’s Day (January 1).

These calls included incidents such as accidents, medical emergencies, suicides and trauma cases.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, who was part of the staff on the ground on New Year’s Eve, applauded healthcare workers across Gauteng who worked tirelessly during the festive period.

“The work done by the Green Angels during this period demonstrated the resources the Gauteng Department of Health has invested both in personnel equipment is being put to good use,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

The MEC also visited the EMS Communication Centre in Midrand where she joined the dedicated team of call centre operators who responded to incoming emergency calls.

The breakdown of the calls is as follows:

• Accidents (motor vehicle, motorbike, pedestrians): 102

• Medical emergencies (maternity, asthma attack, epilepsy, heart attack, collapse): 898

• Suicide-related (poisoning, hanging, overdose): 42

• Trauma cases (assault, gunshot, burns): 468

According to the department’s head of communication, Motalatale Modiba, when comparing this data to the previous year, there is a minimal decline in call volumes.

Modiba said around the same period in 2022/23, the Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 929 calls (105 accidents, 862 medical, 53 suicide/attempts and 482 trauma cases).

These statistics were recorded from December 15 to January 1, 2022/23.

In addition, the MEC further expressed appreciation to the residents of Gauteng and those visiting the province for their continued cooperation and patience.

She urges the public to use primary health facilities and only call the Emergency Communication Centre for actual medical and trauma emergencies, as this will improve responses to those in distress.

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