The province’s hospitals are bracing for the usual spike in trauma cases over the festive season, say health officials.

At the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital on Wednesday December 4, the provincial health department outlined its plans to deal with the holiday surge.

More than 120 000 people visited state hospitals in the province during last year’s festive season, and more than 30 000 were victims of gun violence, car crashes, sexual assaults and other forms of trauma, said Dr Saadiq Kariem, the department’s chief of operations for health and wellness.

“The festive season brings a sharp increase in trauma cases, placing a heavy burden on our emergency centres. Our health-care facilities are fully prepared, but we urge the public to help us by using these services responsibly,” he said.

Craig Wiley, the chief director of emergency medical services (EMS), said the province had 53 EMS centres, 254 ambulances, and more than 1600 EMS staff who had dealt with more than 60 000 emergency calls during last year’s festive season.

The department planned to use motorcycles equipped with first-aid kits, oxygen, defibrillators and fluids needed to resuscitate patients as part of its measures to provide an EMS presence in populated areas.

“The motorcycles would be able to get through traffic to give initial medical help for the patient, though, of course, it is still important that the ambulance comes on the scene and takes the patient to the hospital,” he said.

EMS would also be deploying drones to help in emergencies, he said.

“Our drones are equipped with night-vision and heat-seeking senses so they can help people who are perhaps lost. The drones can also help locate hikers who are injured and help guide hikers who got lost on the mountain.”

The children’s hospital’s CEO, Dr Anita Parbhoo, stressed the importance of supervision, saying, “Children are especially vulnerable during this time. Proper adult supervision is essential. Don’t let it be compromised by distractions, alcohol, or other substances. Designate specific adults to keep watch during gatherings and ensure children are safe.”

Child victims of pedestrian accidents, gunshot wounds and drownings were just some of the cases the hospital saw during the festive season along with the usual children’s accidents such as falling off a bike or out of a tree.

Children should not be left unattended near water, and pool gates should be locked to prevent drownings, she said, while also stressing the importance of buckling children up in cars and using appropriate car seats and keeping sharp objects, hot drinks and toxic substances out of children’s reach.

Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger said she was satisfied with the readiness of the health services.

“We would like everyone to have a safe and happy festive season. In order to do that, we have responsibilities. If you are driving, be safe on the road. If you have children, take care, especially around bodies of water. If you go on the mountain, make sure you know your route and tell people where you are going, and have emergency numbers on your phone,” she said.

In case of emergencies, keep the following numbers handy:

Police Flying Squad: 10111
Ambulance Services: 10177
Cell Phone Emergency: 112
City of Cape Town General Emergency: 107 (from a landline) or 021 480 7700
Disaster Risk Management Centre: 080 911 4357
Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape: 0861 555 777
Childline: 116
Lifeline: 021 461 1113
Wilderness Search and Rescue: 021 937 0300

EMS drone operators Aslam Levy, left, and Fabian Higgins preparing the drones for a demonstration.

From left are EMS paramedics, Andrea Smith, Zoqera Solomons and Charne Wepener with a motorcycle that will be used to assist in emergency situations.

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