In emergecies, delays are fatal

Delays in timely reproductive health interventions can often result in unwanted outcomes, and at worst may lead to avoidable deaths.

This happens more often than is acceptable in this day and age. The tragedy is in many cases, women can take control and avoid delays that may turn out catastrophic.

Delays in emergency situations have more potential for tragic consequences. You must be able to recognise an emergency situation, and take appropriate steps to seek help immediately.

You must make the right decisions without delay, and factor in situations that may be beyond your control. These might include the distance you may have to travel to reach a health facility, and resources that may be available the facility.

Life threatening

Some degree of health literacy will enable you to be acutely aware of emergencies. There are freely available health awareness resources wherever you look.

Your healthcare providers are a rich source of information as well. Ask questions whenever you attend for appointments, and take home information leaflets for later reference. Do not ignore any highlighted information detailing serious symptoms that must be addressed urgently whenever they occur.

Make quick decisions when emergencies arise. It helps to have a plan in place. How will you get to the health facility? Which facility will you go to? Inadvertent delays should not occur, any delays in decision making may be life-threatening. Aim to go to the nearest health facility in all emergencies, you can always get transferred safely to your preferred facility once you get stabilised.

Don’t be too bothered about bills either. Constitutional healthcare rights mandate you to be treated in emergencies regardless of your ability to pay.

There will be situations that will be beyond your control. Think of traffic snarl-ups, or delays once you arrive at the healthcare facility. Can you do anything about these?

Do not just sit

You can take steps to influence how things unfold, rather than resigning yourself to fate. Ambulances have the right of way, you could make sure that your medical cover caters for an emergency ambulance when need arises.

If not, you can always call one up for a one-time fee, which you may never regret.

 Do not sit in the waiting queue once you arrive in the healthcare facility in an emergency. Get yourself straight through the emergency door, or to the nursing station. Don’t lose precious minutes trying to be civil when your life may be at stake.

True, some delays in getting emergency treatment may still occur. But if you do your bits, you will be much better off. Healthcare facilities are held accountable for dealing with emergencies promptly.

Seek redress if unnecessarily delayed, it may help to improve services and save someone else’s life in the future.

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