In just under 24 hours, St John Ambulance (SJA) officers responding to emergencies in the National Capital District and Central Province were attacked in two separate incidents.
The first incident happened at 3:30am on Saturday morning.
An ambulance crew responding to an emergency call from Kaugere in the Moresby South Electorate was stopped from it’s path by two drunk man.
One holding a large metal pole and threatening the crew to turn back.
Police were called and the men have been arrested.
Another incident happened along Vanapa in the Kairuku Hiri District of Central Province.
CEO Matt Cannon was on his way to assist his Health Extension Officer attend a maternal case.
“Triplets had been born prematurely and the babies and mother were acutely unwell.
The response car (C01) was displaying red and blue flashing lights.
“A St John Health Extension Officer in A31 (ahead of C01) required urgent back-up from advanced paramedics to manage the patients.
“At approximately 1809hrs, while responding to the case we approached a newly placed speed hump approximately 300 metres from what we understand to be Vanapa Bridge.
“As our vehicle slowed to go over the speed hump slowly, a male ran out in front of the vehicle wielding a knife that appeared 15 – 20cm in length.
The knife contacted the glass, and slid down, contacting metal, and leaving a notable dent in the aluminium door.
The driver was lucky, the windows were up.
“Given where the knife contacted the glass, had the window been open or the glass given way, the knife would have stabbed my neck, very likely severing the carotid artery, resulting in death by uncontrollable exsanguination in a matter of seconds.
“Every day our professional ambulance officers are putting their lives on the line, coming face to face with risk and violence so that others may live.
“Obstructing a paramedic or ambulance officer is categorically unacceptable and put lives at risk,” said Cannon.
Meanwhile St John Ambulance Board Chair Dame Jean Kekedo said they are asking the Government to make amendments to the St John Act 1976 to make it illegal to obstruct or hinder ambulance officers performing their duties.
This incident in Central Province is the 4th attack on the ambulance service since January 2022.
Two attacks in Central Province, one in NCD and one in Simbu Province.
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