Latest news with #CrisisOnCall
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Public ambulance delays threaten lives in Pretoria
People's lives are at risk as communities across South Africa have to wait dangerously long for public ambulances to respond. Reports highlight that public ambulance services in South Africa, including Pretoria, may experience delays ranging from 30 minutes to over two hours, particularly during peak hours or in areas with resource constraints. Spokesperson for CrisisOnCall, Ruan Vermaak, underscored the crisis: 'Ambulance shortages and a lack of advanced life support paramedics contribute to slower response times, potentially delaying or even compromising patient outcomes.' Internal call data from his company underscores this grim reality, revealing frequent delays even in critical cases like strokes and heart attacks. 'Our data clearly shows that people in certain regions simply do not get timely access to help,' said Vermaak. 'Especially in rural areas, the situation is reaching crisis proportions.' A stark contrast exists between state and private emergency services. Public ambulances suffer from vehicle shortages and staffing gaps, while well-equipped private and community-based teams are only accessible to those who can prearrange them. Vermaak observed that this is not just a logistical problem but a systemic one: inadequate resources, staffing shortages, and poor co-ordination place patients' lives at risk. Recent tragedies highlighted this plight, like the incident when a 26-year-old in Kimberley died in October 2024 after waiting 30 minutes for a public ambulance. 'These are not unique incidents,' Vermaak warned. 'We cannot wait until someone dies before we acknowledge the problem.' He said public-private partnerships that let services and well-trained volunteers work together to provide ambulance services are an option to overcome the problem, as well as community-led emergency preparations, including private subscriptions, safety apps, and volunteer networks. Vermaak believes that effective, privately facilitated emergency assistance at a scene is possible when partners mobilise their resources to save lives. 'In our case, a vehicle manned by experienced paramedics with the necessary emergency equipment provides free assistance to communities in need. We fully support such community initiatives,' he said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Video: Emergency team races through Pretoria's wet streets to save pregnant woman's life
In a gripping race against time, the lives of a pregnant woman and that of her unborn child were saved through the coordinated efforts of Best Care Emergency Medical Services, CrisisOnCall, and #WithCheryWithLove. The emergency team sped through the streets of Pretoria on yesterday in a specially equipped vehicle provided by Chery Centurion, to deliver a neurosurgeon to her bedside in record time. No hesitation when lives are at stake 'This is one of those calls that reminds you why you chose this path,' said Xander Loubser of Best Care EMS, reflecting on the intense but miraculous night. 'There was no room for hesitation. Two lives were at stake.' The woman required emergency neurosurgery to remove a brain clot. Record time to the hospital With a GPS estimate of 40 minutes to the hospital, the odds were daunting, but the team arrived in just 18 minutes, navigating rain-slicked roads, traffic and intersections from the Moot to a hospital in Pretoria East, with sirens blaring. 'God guided us through the streets,' Loubser said. 'By His grace alone, the mother and baby are alive today.' The operation was part of an initiative involving the use of specially equipped vehicles to support critical medical emergencies. Watch a video of the team speeding through the streets here, A healthy baby was born 'Everyone is asking 'How are the mom and baby from yesterday?' and I'm relieved and grateful to say that a healthy 3.3kg baby has been born, and the mother's procedure went well. The thrombectomy was successful, and this morning she met her newborn for the first time. Her limbs are functioning well, and she's aware of her surroundings,' said Loubser. Loubser pointed out that he stands in awe of God's grace. 'Well done to the surgical team. Many have thanked us, but we were merely one part of a larger instrument. We will meet the mother and her family soon. I think they'll be overwhelmed and thankful for everyone's prayers.' The story has captured the hearts of many, highlighting the importance of fast action, faith, and community. 'This mission was a privilege and an honour,' added Ruan Vermaak, spokesperson for CrisisOnCall. 'Moments like these remind us why we do what we do: to serve, to save, and to make a real difference. Thanks to incredible teamwork and divine grace, two precious lives were saved.' Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Emergency team races through wet streets to save life
In a gripping race against time, a pregnant woman's life and that of her unborn child was saved through the coordinated efforts of Best Care Emergency Medical Services, CrisisOnCall, and #WithCheryWithLove. The emergency team sped through the streets of Pretoria on 24 April in a specially equipped, sponsored Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, provided by Chery Centurion, to deliver a neurosurgeon to her bedside in record time. 'This is one of those calls that reminds you why you chose this path,' said Xander Loubser of Best Care EMS, reflecting on the intense but miraculous night. 'There was no room for hesitation. Two lives were at stake.' The woman required emergency neurosurgery to remove a brain clot. With a GPS estimate of 40 minutes to the hospital, the odds were daunting but the team arrived in just 18, navigating rain-slicked roads from the Moot to a hospital in Pretoria East, traffic, and intersections with sirens blaring. 'God guided us through the streets,' Loubser said. 'By His grace alone, the mother and baby are alive today.' The operation was part of an initiative involving Best Care EMS, CrisisOnCall, and Chery Centurion, using specially equipped vehicles to support critical medical emergencies. 'The question today is one that everyone is asking: 'How are the mom and baby from yesterday?' I'm relieved and grateful to say that a healthy 3.3kg baby has been born, and the mother's procedure went well. The thrombectomy was successful, and this morning she met her new-born for the first time. Her limbs are functioning well, and she's aware of her surroundings.' Loubser pointed out that he stands in awe of God's grace. 'Well done to the surgical team. Many have thanked us, but we were merely one part of a larger instrument. We will meet the mother and her family soon. I think they'll be overwhelmed and thankful for everyone's prayers.' The story has captured the hearts of many, highlighting the importance of fast action, faith, and community. 'This mission was a privilege and an honour,' added Ruan Vermaak, spokesperson for CrisisOnCall. 'Moments like these remind us why we do what we do: to serve, to save, and to make a real difference. Thanks to incredible teamwork and divine grace, two precious lives were saved.' Click here to see video of the drive: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
