St John anticipate increase in alcohol related cases this festive period.
Drunk people will be the biggest burden for the ambulance service and hospitals over the Christmas period.
Drunken fights, Drunk drivers, Drunk risk takers and such actions all result in injuries to the drunk person, and sadly other people too.
The Christmas usually period see a rise in trauma-related emergencies for the ambulance service and hospitals.
Dr. Mangu Kenino said injuries and accidents during the festive season are often a result of excess consumption of alcohol.
“We ask people that are choosing to drink; to please drink responsibly. That means not having more than one or two beer cans per hour. Never drink alcohol and drive. Always have a ‘sober bob’, a person that is not drinking takes responsibility for driving the family or friends,” said Dr Kendino.
She further gave advice on how to care for those injured in accidents.
“If there are any significantly injured persons either through a fall, assault or Motor Vehicle accident, it is recommended that the injured not be moved. Trained St John Pre-hospital care providers should be alerted through the 111 National Ambulance call centre and will respond in a timely manner to ensure appropriate care and transportation to the hospital,” she instructed.
She said unregulated high-strength liquor like ‘berry’ flavoured liquor, that is damaging our society, burdening our hospitals and resulting in people taking dangerous risks often when ambulance officers are attacked, it is people affected by what they believe to be high-strength liquor.
Dr. Kendino added that these high-strength liquors sometimes contain 10 times as much alcohol per litre as a beer can. That means that a 1x 1-litre bottle could be equivalent to 15 beers or more.
“We attend to people affected by alcohol because everyone deserves health care. Even if they make poor choices or mistakes, but please help our Green Angels by avoiding alcohol and be sensible with your drinking,” Dr. Kendino advised.