Medic wants to quit after latest attack
PROBLEMATIC: 44 attacks on medics this year
A brave paramedic is considering quitting her job after becoming a victim of a spate of attacks on emergency workers.
This year alone, there have been 44 attacks on EMS staff on the Cape Flats, according to the Western Cape Department of Health.
July had the most attacks so far with 10 recorded while there have been four this month, according to figures shared by spokesperson Deanna Bessick.
These range from vehicles being stoned, shots being fired, robberies and theft involving both personal items and essential medical equipment costing hundreds of thousands of rands.
Cindy Jones (not her real name) says she’s still recovering from a traumatic experience.
The mom of four has been based at the Lentegeur Hospital EMS base for the past 12 years.
Two years ago, Cindy, 42, and her colleague responded to a call at Carol Court in Heideveld at midnight.
Upon leaving the flat, six men accosted them. Her colleague ran for his life, while she was held at gunpoint.
“They took my personal belongings – two cellphones, money, my driver’s licence and more. As they were searching me, I was not sure what they would do next and wet myself because of the fear,” she explains.
She says the incident impacted her emotionally, psychologically and physically: “I experience moments of anger, and I keep wondering what I could have done differently.”
She’s considered leaving her job, but she has no choice as she has no other means of providing for her children.
“There are so many attacks, and it makes people scared to pursue this career. It makes people like me afraid to do my job on a daily basis,” she says.
National Education Health and Allied Workers Union regional secretary Zukisani Mabhengu told Cape Argus: “We need law enforcement to respond to the calls for assistance from paramedics.
“They can’t do their jobs well if they have to constantly be on the lookout for attacks in communities they are sent to service.”