The specialised emergency medical services capabilities of the Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) was recently showcased when the Special Infectious Unit (SIU) Ambulance picked up a suspected COVID-19 patient in Pretoria North.
The SIU Ambulance is equipped with a negative pressure isolation chamber which
permits patients to be scanned in the chamber without exposing staff to COVID-19.
This ambulance is the first of its kind in South Africa and fulfils the key requirements
for responding to and dealing with hazardous material Level B incidents, viral
hemorrhagic fever, extensively drug-resistant or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR
or MDR TB), and more recently, COVID-19 patient treatment and transportation.
The team of paramedics on the SIU Ambulance is trained and equipped to handle
medical emergencies where suspected or known cases of infectious or contagious
substances are involved. Fortunately to date no member has been infected with
COVID-19, largely due to the maintenance of strict protocols and standard operating
procedures and the advanced equipment and capabilities of the vehicle.
The SIU Ambulance, along with the specialised Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Ambulance, was procured before the DA-led multiparty government in
Tshwane was unlawfully removed and the City placed under
administration.
While the specialised ambulances were launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the
need for such vehicles were identified by the ESD management team long before the
COVID-19 outbreak, having studied the trends of various medical outbreaks, like
Ebola and tuberculosis.
Thanks to the foresight of the City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services, these
specialised vehicles have boosted the City’s response to and fight against the COVID-
19 pandemic.
The fact that the City operates these highly specialised vehicles is evidence that the
ESD renders a world-class emergency medical services response to the residents of
the City of Tshwane.
It is also a testament to the need for the City to continue providing such emergency
medical services as a fully licensed ambulance operator.