Emergency Medical Services (EMS) respond to 5 670 incidents in the Western Cape

The Western Cape Government Health and Wellness (WCGHW) Emergency Medical Services provided care to residents during 5 670 incidents in the province this weekend, which included 2 041 life-threatening conditions that required urgent treatment.

The main incident types included chest pain/ discomfort (931); respiratory complaints (472); weapon assaults (570); obstetric complaints (321); vomiting/diarrhoea (295); physical assaults (286); neurological complaints (285); abdominal complaints (268); fever (191); and musculoskeletal complaints (189).

The EMS also, with the escort from the South African Police Service (SAPS) attended to various incidents in Red Zone neighbourhoods such as Beacon Valley (57), Tafelsig (47), Hanover Park (25) and Chicago (10). Most patients were transported to the Tygerberg, Worcester and Mitchells Plain Hospitals.  
 

On the province’s roads, the EMS was called out to 77 incidents involving light motor vehicles. In addition, a total of 55 calls were received for pedestrians that sustained injuries. ChildSafe encourages motorists to travel more slowly when visibility is poor and the roads are wet, and for pedestrians to wear visible clothing when they walk next to a road. 
 

The EMS will continue to respond to calls for help, 24/7, in communities by saving lives from heart attacks, treating injuries due to road traffic incidents, transporting clients between health care facilities, and providing care for the many other illnesses that occur daily in the province.