Oceana group and gift of the givers pay homage to EMS officials | Western Cape Government

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Oceana group and gift of the givers pay homage to EMS officials

15 July 2021

The Western Cape Government Health would like to thank Hospital Heroes, Gift of the Givers and the Oceana Group for honouring EMS officials who have been working tirelessly to ensure that community members are provided with efficient emergency medical care. From 1 January 2021 to date, EMS officials have responded to 332 356 incidents. Their selfless and continuous commitment to serve communities in our province, despite the challenges they have to endure at times has been recognised and applauded. 

A generous donation of 2 000 care packs and food items have been provided and handed out to the various EMS District Facilities across the province. Not only does the thoughtful gift mean a lot to each EMS official, but the words of appreciation and homage that was paid leading up to Nelson Mandela International Day leaves an even greater mark. We receive these donations with gratitude.

“We would like to thank the Oceana Group, Hospital Heroes and Gift of the Givers for honouring EMS officials. We are exceptionally grateful and take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude for their support. The EMS team have been under significant pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. These brave men and women have shown continuous commitment to serve communities in our province with zeal and perseverance, despite the challenges and being thanked in this manner reiterates the support we have,” says Dr Shaheem De Vries, Director, WCGH’s EMS.

“Being thanked and honoured by the Oceana Group for our hard work, in the midst of all the current pressure is amazing. This year has been an extremely challenging year this far. We’ve lost family members and colleagues due to this pandemic. The one thing that has kept us going and sane, is our commitment to serve the community and our vow to work together as a team. As EMS colleagues we are very supportive of each other and it’s a pleasure to work with a team that is zealous and focused,” says Mrs Maranchia Oliver-Florence, Advanced Life Support Paramedic.

Oceana Group Executive: Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, Zodwa Velleman said, “These are challenging times for our nation, and the ethos of Nelson Mandela – of courage, service and sacrifice – has never been more important. It’s why we didn’t hesitate for a moment when we had the opportunity to acknowledge and reward the heroic efforts of our frontline healthcare and medical workers in the face of COVID-19. It’s one way that we stay true to our commitment to positively impacting lives for the communities we operate in and to positively impacting lives wherever we can.”

Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said, “We wish to thank the Oceana Group for their continuous support. Since the start of the pandemic, they’ve provided us with masks which we were able to distribute in communities during a period that we required it the most. Oceana Group also assisted with essential items such as blankets and socks to individuals in the quarantine and isolation sites since the first wave. Today, their generosity has been extended and I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the contribution to EMS.  

For media enquiries, please contact:

 

Deanna Bessick

Principal Communications Officer: Emergency Medical Services

Cell: 073 620 4694

 

                                    

Media Enquiries: 

Deanna Bessick
Principal Communications Officer: Emergency Medical Services
Cell: 073 620 4694