Staff and Achievements
Growing up in Cape Town and now living and working in a remote area like Kuruman in the Northern Cape, Shihaam Carlsen, an ER24 paramedic, has experienced the best of both worlds. She shares how she's found herself loving the slow life that comes with being a healthcare worker in a small town.
Last year, Shihaam moved to Kuruman after graduating with a Diploma in Emergency Medical Care from the Mediclinic Higher Education Institution. Her goal has always been to challenge herself early on in her career by putting herself in an unconventional environment. Kuruman proved to be the challenge she was seeking.
"The move was to gain as much experience as I could in the field as early as possible in my career. I knew medical resources would be limited in remote areas, and this would challenge me as a new paramedic in the field. This rings true to what I'm experiencing working in Kuruman because we can drive, for example, an hour or two to a primary call, and we'd be the only ambulance there. So, it pushes you to your limits and tests your skills, and that's something I want to establish early on in my career."
The area's remote nature has also emphasised the importance of pre-hospital emergency medical care.
"My role as a paramedic feels more impactful in a remote area such as Kuruman because of how far or outlying some areas can be. We could be dispatched to an accident scene about 100 km outside of town and possibly quite far from the closest hospital. Stabilising that patient on the scene and in the ambulance is a top priority.”
Her experience in Kuruman has given her a deeper appreciation for the sense of community and self-reliance required for living in a remote area. Shihaam now appreciates the lifestyle that blends fast-paced work with a slower, more intimate way of life.
"I think transitioning to life here has shown me the importance of family even more, especially due to the long hours we work. I'm more than happy to be at home and spend time with my husband when I'm off duty. I find myself calling my parents more often as well. Sometimes, it can feel lonely, especially coming from a community such as Cape Town, where there's always a mosque around the corner; and when Ramadan comes, you have your family. So, it taught me a lot about making a house a home and just trying to make the best of everything while I am away from my hometown."
Shihaam notes that working in remote areas is a powerful stepping stone for anyone starting in pre-hospital emergency care. “It’s an opportunity that pushes you to grow, offering priceless experience and knowledge you won’t gain anywhere else.”
For those inspired to further their studies in EMS, we invite you to explore the opportunities available through Mediclinic. Click here for more information.