“Every patient is treated as a possible Covid-19 case”

POLOKWANE – Mapholoba Mogotlane (32) says he always dreamt of working in the emergency medical field. The paramedic says he was always astonished by paramedics and how they were able to save people’s lives before the patient was taken to the hospital. “I told myself that one day, I would work in this field and contribute towards saving people’s lives.”

Mapholoba, who resides in Mankweng, says being a paramedic requires compassion and a passion for helping others without expecting anything in return. “When you save someone, you cannot turn around and say ‘you owe me’,” he said.

Mapholoba holds a qualification in basic ambulance attendancy from De Vries Ambulance Academy in Marble Hall and is a registered member of the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA). “My journey as a paramedic began in 2015, starting as a volunteer then moving on to stand-by, until I was officially appointed.

The job is exciting and overwhelming at the same time, but what fulfills me is helping to save lives,” he added.

Mapholoba says being a frontline worker during the Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging as they have had to learn to adopt a new way of carrying out their duties.

“I’m not saying that we did not have rules and regulations in place before the pandemic, but they were minimal.

We now have to consider the chance of getting infected, while at the same time trying to keep calm and doing our jobs. I still dedicate and serve patients willingly and with care because I am very passionate about my profession.”

Mapholoba says despite being in an overwhelming situation, saving lives is what motivates him to continue.

“One must have patience. We currently treat every patient as a possible Covid-19 patient by following a checklist.

We have also attended safety workshops and that has assisted us to stay healthy,” he added.

He urges residents to prioritise their wellness and continuously consult if they see any signs or unusual symptoms.