Former Benonian Waseela Mohammed (29) is a paramedic who knew from a young age that she wanted to somehow be involved in the clinical field and nothing was going to stop her from achieving her goal.
“It was 2003 when my grandfather had collapsed and had a heart attack. I remember the paramedics rushing through the door to attend to my grandfather, but by then he had already passed on,” she explained.
“The paramedics had expressed their condolences and I could see the empathy and compassion.
“They even stayed for a while to ensure all the family was fine. It was at that moment I knew I wanted to become a paramedic and help others. I wanted to be the hand of hope.”
When the Boksburg resident started in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in 2010, she said it was still a male-dominated industry.
“I often found that on a shift of seven people, five were males and two females. What hasn’t changed and desperately needs to is the lack of women in senior leadership roles within paramedicine,” she explained.
“There’s certainly more female representation in paramedic roles and managerial positions than there was – but that representation seems to stop at middle management.”
Mohammed was raised by her mom for 14 years, with the help of her maternal grandmother and aunty.
Her mother remarried and the former Liverpool Secondary School learner said these four people are her main pillars of strength.
She also thanked the support from colleagues, friends and family for playing a role in helping not just her, but other paramedics to stay motivated and encouraged.
“I love my job and that is no understatement,” she emphasised.
“Being able to help people in times of need is very satisfying. Our job is to preserve life, prevent further injuries and promote recovery.
“We attended to people for various reasons, such as physical injury, medical emergencies, emotional trauma, chronic conditions, mental illness, or transfer for further care.
“Sometimes this requires us to use all our skills, medication and equipment to preserve life. And at other times, all that is needed is compassion and a listening ear.
“Looking after someone on their worst day or their best, like when they just had a baby, is a very privileged position to be in.”
The medic for 12 years shared some pros and cons about being in the field:
Pros:
• There is never a ‘boring’ day in EMS. You’re at the scene of car accidents, fires, shootings or attending to someone who’s having a stroke.
• Every day is different and every trip will require something of you. But you will make a difference to someone each day.
• There is also room to grow. The skills you gain whilst training to become a paramedic and the expertise acquired over years of being on this career path can be applied as much out of work as it can be during work.
Cons:
• Not all calls are emergencies – you’ll be dispatched to an unconscious patient only to find upon your arrival that the patient is wide awake and just has a headache.
“Some of the calls we attend to are things that the victims can take themselves to the hospital for,” she said.
• Paramedics are at high risk of coming into contact with bodily fluids like vomit and blood and often come across persons infected with infectious diseases.
• There is a lot of mental strain and high-stress levels. It can be hard on more than just your body. Burnouts are very common. It can be difficult seeing so many sick, hurt and dying people day after day.
“Additionally, many paramedics work long shifts – some work 12 hours or more at a time. You have to be able to engage in a lot of physical activity,” she explained.
“You have to physically lift people, sometimes even up or down several flights of stairs. You need to be able to move quickly and carefully.
“Be prepared to stand, crouch, or stay in one position for long periods. It’s a strenuous job. Due to the bending, kneeling, and lifting frequently done, you are susceptible to sustaining injuries.”
The former Pioneer Primary School learner also shared some misconceptions about being a female in the industry.
“There are often misconceptions about females not being able to carry and lift heavy patients. We are even asked if we can drive the huge ambulances,” she said.
“But some people don’t know that women are just as capable as men.”
Sharing about her career:
“I started in EMS in mid-2010 where I was a basic life support medic. I had worked events for two years and volunteered at Linmed Netcare 911 base.
“On obtaining my professional driving permit, I was employed with ER24 Joburg East, Benoni, where I served for six years.
“In 2014, I completed my intermediate life support course. I also took courses in emergency medical services for hostile environments and did some brief training on water rescue. I often volunteered on the advanced response vehicle where I gained extra knowledge, experience and improved my skills.
“From 2016 to 2018 I also worked overtime on ER24’s helicopter after completing CAT138.
“In 2019, I resigned from private services and joined the state ambulance service, Gauteng EMS, during March. I worked nine months as an intermediate life support medic and was promoted to supervisor in December that same year.
“I am now between the office and ambulance – kind of the best of both worlds.
“I would encourage people to choose the paramedic career because it is rewarding. The only thing that being a medic has deprived me of is sleep. But losing sleep to make a difference to someone’s life is worth the sleep lost,” she said.
“Paramedics are an important part of our communities and are needed everywhere. Being a medic has given me more perspective on living, dying and what really matters in the end.”
A message to women this Women’s Month:
“From a woman to woman – go out and choose the career you want. Only you can make it happen. You can do it.
It all depends on how badly you want it.
“Stand tall and fight for what you believe in. The world needs strong women – women who will lift and build others.”
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