Tambo Memorial Hospital reopens sections affected by deadly Boksburg blast

The hospital was among several homes and structures in the Ekurhuleni suburb of Plantation that sustained damages when a tanker that was transporting LP gas became stuck under a low-lying bridge along Hospital Road, on Christmas Eve, before it exploded.

Services in the ante-natal clinic and operating theatres were restored earlier this month.

On Tuesday morning Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko on Monday oversaw the official opening of the rest of the affected units, which include the radiology and the trauma and emergency departments.

“Today I am pleased to announce that the diversion of all patient categories and departments is uplifted. This followed the testing and quality checks on the clinical machines and the subsequent lifting of the prohibition by the department of labour, thus allowing access to the affected sections. The hospital is now able to receive critical patients in the accident and emergency units.”

An assessment revealed the structure of the hospital building remained intact after the explosion, with the bulk of the damages limited to roofs, ceilings, windows and doors.

Some of the radiology equipment, including a multi-million-rand CT scan, were affected by the debris from the shaken structure but has been subsequently repaired.

Nkomo-Ralehoko gave an update on the death toll and victims. The total number of fatalities still stands at 41, including employees at the hospital.

“The health sector suffered a heavy blow with 12 employees succumbing to injuries, and eight firefighters suffered injuries. Fortunately, all eight have since been discharged from hospital. A further 33 from TMH incurred injuries and were treated as outpatients. The majority of them have since returned to work, with the exception of three people who are yet to come back to work.

She says the total cost of repairs was just over R3 million.

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Meanwhile, the acting head of department at Gauteng Health Lesiba Malotana explains the R18 million estimate that was announced by the infrastructure department MEC Lebogang Maile during an oversight visit to the facility following the explosions included some long-term projects that had already been earmarked for the facility.