An irate mob killed a patient in the back of an ambulance during a shocking attack on Gauteng emergency medical services (EMS) first responders in Atteridgeville on Monday. There have been 12 attacks on paramedics this year with the Gauteng health department now looking at options to help keep EMS personnel safe.

During Monday’s incident, paramedics were responding to a victim that was being assaulted in a mob justice incident at the Mshongoville informal settlement.

The responders, also known as the ‘Green Angels’, came under attack whilst treating the assaulted patient who was in a critical state, according to Gauteng health and wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

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She says a call was made to the Gauteng emergency communication centre at 19:44 and an ambulance was dispatched to the area at 20:00.

“The patient was found already on the ground surrounded by the community. The paramedics were able to initiate treatment and prepared to transport the patient to the nearest hospital,” says Nkomo-Ralehoko.

As the ambulance was getting ready to leave the scene, community members started throwing stones and barricading the road to prevent it from leaving.

“They accused the patient of some crime and demanded justice on the spot.

“The Green Angels ran for cover as they were now under attack. Unfortunately, the patient was further fatally assaulted while lying on an ambulance stretcher.”

She says the ambulance was damaged and some medical equipment was stolen.

“A case has since been opened with the police.”

Nkomo-Ralehoko says attacks on EMS personnel have dire consequences on providing access to healthcare services.

She says the Gauteng EMS personnel who were attacked went for medical observation at the Kalafong provincial tertiary hospital.

Health spokesperson Philani Mhlungu says so far there have been 12 attacks on EMS personnel this year.

“Incidents include an attempted sexual assault and hijacking, damage to the ambulance after being hit with stones and armed robbery where personal belongings such as cellphones, wallets and bags were taken.”

He says despite such attacks, the Green Angels continued to respond to calls.

Mhlungu says the Gauteng Department of Health is pursuing multiple efforts and strategies to address paramedic attacks.

These include:

•  The Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) has profiled areas and calls that may be hoax calls to advise the crews and security cluster when dispatching EMS resources.
• Engaging with CPFs and SAPS, in districts and sub-districts to escort and accompany ambulances to the scene.
• Gauteng EMS has been meeting with community safety, community and ward leaders, to get some mitigation in these attacks, like having pick-up points in informal areas with no house numbers.
• Extending the services of the Employee Health Wellness Programme (EHWP) to 24 hours for all EMS personnel, for trauma diffusion, counselling, and referral to social workers.
• Currently, Gauteng EMS is investigating the use and introduction of electronic security systems consulting with experts in the area.

“The roll-out of panic button devices linked to ECC in all ambulances and response cars linked to security services in identified areas is also being finalised.”

The Gauteng health department has made a passionate plea to residents of Gauteng to not take the law into their own hands and not hinder the operations of the emergency medical personnel whose job it is to indiscriminately provide emergency medical care to those who need it.