Nationally known as the April Fools’ Day, for many people April 1st never passes. Lying behavior can lead to suffering, or even death, for many people. Only in 2023, the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU-RJ) received a hundred prank calls, which disrupted emergency care for the population.
With the challenge of fighting against the weather and adverse emergency conditions, SAMU-RJ teams still have to deal with false communications. Last year, the Central 192 recorded 673 thousand calls, of which almost 40 thousand were identified as prank calls. Between January and March 2024 alone, 10,693 calls with false communications were recorded.
The general coordinator of SAMU-RJ, Luciano Sarmento, highlights that the factors of time and material resources are fundamental for emergency care. Failure in any of these resources can mean the difference between life and death, or the reduction of intense suffering.
“When we commit resources to an event that does not exist, that is, it is a hazing, the citizen who really needs it may be left without assistance or receive help in a longer time than it should be. In serious cases it can lead to death, as the shortest response time in care is essential”, explained Luciano.
To reduce the incidence of prank calls, SAMU-RJ teams work to raise awareness among the population. Furthermore, the institution invests in internal training to identify false call profiles, which include swearing, false incidents involving children and false calls for help.
“SAMU in the capital has been carrying out training in public schools in order to educate children and adolescents and make them aware of the importance of care and how hazing can harm our routine”, said Luciano Sarmento.
SAMU-RJ has a fleet of 70 ambulances and 30 motorbikes. All occurrences are monitored by 11 doctors who are available throughout the day at the regulation center. In the first three months of this year, the institution has already provided more than 50 thousand services.
Information: Tupi
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Tags: SAMURJs challenges saving lives prank calls represent obstacles care
