The front façade of a hospital South African Medical Association Trade Union has urged members of the public to be responsible while celebrating during the festive season as this is a time of the year when healthcare facilities are overwhelmed. File Picture: Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers
Durban - The South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) has urged members of the public to be responsible while celebrating during the festive season as this is a time of the year when healthcare facilities become overwhelmed.
Samatu’s general secretary, Dr Cedric Sihlangu, said hospitals and medical centres often face a surge in admissions due to road accidents at this time of year.
He added that motorists should not drink and drive as it was a prevalent cause of many road accidents during the festive season.
“Motorists must always wear seat belts, adhere to speed limits and avoid distractions such as using mobile phones while driving. These measures are crucial in reducing the risk of accidents. If feeling unwell or fatigued, refrain from driving. Samatu reminds motorists and road users that our hospitals, as is, face a significant burden of challenges, both in terms of infrastructure and human resources.
“By prioritising safety and responsible behaviour on the roads, we can help ease this burden.”
The South African Medical Association (Sama) said that the festive season is marked by a significant increase in road accidents and fatalities.
“In the 2023/2024 festive season there were 1 184 fatal crashes recorded, which represent a 2.3 percent decline compared to the previous year, indicating some progress in road safety efforts. Despite this improvement, the number of road deaths remains alarmingly high.”
Sama added that it underscored the critical need for public vigilance and adherence to safety measures during the holiday period to alleviate the burden on healthcare facilities.
“Sama urges the public to make safe and responsible choices to reduce the burden on emergency services, allowing hospitals to focus on unavoidable medical cases and saving lives during this busy time.”
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