The Inkatha Freedom Party is deeply concerned about the safety of paramedics and other emergency service personnel after another incident where a paramedic was stabbed while attempting to assist accident victims in Pietermaritzburg.
“This is not the first time that emergency service personnel have come under attack while going to the rescue of victims. There have been reports previously of ambulance personnel and fire fighters coming under attack or being ambushed while in the line of duty. It is unacceptable that these lifesavers who very often risk their own lives, are attacked, robbed or even hijacked. When we see these emergency vehicles racing past us on the roads, we feel a sense of security in the knowledge that we can depend on these personnel to come to our rescue if need be. Members of these rescue service will now feel apprehensive when responding to emergencies and will not be able to concentrate fully on the patients if they know that they could be attacked at any time,” said IFP Spokesperson on Health, Hon Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL.
“We are aware that there is a shortage of trained paramedics and other emergency rescue personnel in our province. These personnel work in a very stressful and emotionally taxing environment as they work with victims of accidents, fires and other disasters. We cannot afford to lose such people if they decide to resign because of threats to their lives. Citizens of our province must be grateful that we have highly professional and well-trained personnel at our disposal. We should therefore ensure that they do not come under attack or are abused in any way. As the IFP we call for all emergency service personnel to be equipped with body cameras for their own safety. In this way they will be monitored while on duty and will able to get back-up assistance should they come under attack,” concluded Hon Mrs Nkwanyana.
The IFP wishes the paramedic injured in the latest incident a speedy and full recovery.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991