THIS week it is time honour our emergency medical services workers as National EMS Week is celebrated across South Africa and the rest of the world.

EMS week is held annually during May and this year is celebrated from 18 to 24 May.

EMS professionals’ dedication and lifesaving skills are put to the test every day. They are called out in big cities and in small towns, in private homes, businesses, schools and roads to help people.

Whether it’s saving a young victim of a motor vehicle crash, helping an elderly patient who’s forgotten to take their medication, stabilizing a construction worker experiencing chest pain on the jobsite, or treating an overdose on a city street, they are trained and ready to deliver a range of medical interventions and support.

There has been calls for better protection and care of EMS crews in the Western Cape who face serious safety concerns, including being targeted by violent criminals, which leads to trauma and disruptions in essential healthcare services. 

There are also concerns about ambulances entering certain areas and the potential for staff to be attacked. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is working with relevant stakeholders to address them, including the South African Police Service (SAPS). 

Let’s all celebrate our EMS workers and show them we care, just like they care for everyone!