Services at the Tambo memorial Hospital have been restored following damage done by the Boksburg gas tanker explosion. Image: Supplied
Tambo Memorial Hospital services restored
Services at the Tambo memorial Hospital have been restored following damage done by the Boksburg gas tanker explosion.
Services at the Tambo memorial Hospital have been restored following damage done by the Boksburg gas tanker explosion. Image: Supplied
All services at the Tambo Memorial Hospital, severely damaged in the gas tanker explosion in Boksburg on Christmas eve, 24 December 2022, have been restored.
HOSPITAL RESTORED AFTER BOKSBURG GAS TANKER BLAST
The MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said she was pleased to announce that the diversion of all patient categories and departments is uplifted, effecting since Friday, 27 January 2023.
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The MEC is particularly pleased that the project was delivered within the cost of R3.3 million. The Tambo Memorial hospital was restored a month after the gas tanker explosion.
“Over a month ago, a dark cloud fell over our nation, particularly the people of Boksburg in Ekurhuleni, due to the tragic tanker explosion under a bridge on Hospital Road about 100 metres away from Tambo Memorial Hospital.”
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GAS TANKER EXPLOSION DESTROYED PARTS OF THE HOSPITAL
Nkomo-Ralehoko said the gas explosion, destroyed parts of the Tambo Memorial Hospital (TMH), damaged infrastructure in surrounding areas, destroyed people’s homes, left scores of people critically injured, and resulted in 41 people losing their lives.
“Twelve employees succumbed to injuries, and eight firefighters from the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services suffered severe injuries.
Fortunately, all eight have since been discharged from the hospital. Further, 33 staff members from TMH incurred injuries and were treated as outpatients. Most of them have returned to work, except three people who have yet to return.”
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This followed the testing and quality checks of the clinical machines and the subsequent lifting of the prohibition notice by the Department of Labour, thus allowing access to the affected sections.
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The hospital is now able to receive critical patients in the following departments:
- General Surgery Department
- Radiology Department
- Orthopaedics Department
- ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Department
- Ophthalmology (dealing with medical conditions relating to the eye)
- Paediatric Department
- High-risk and low-risk Maternity
- Internal Medicine department
- All trauma cases that require theatre operations and intensive care unit.
“All staff members who were allocated to neighbouring facilities have also been recalled,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
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“All services have now been restored, and the hospital will embark on a catch-up process to reschedule patients who would have missed their scheduled appointments for surgery and radiology services.”
She also commended the public for the cooperation they gave the Tambo Memorial Hospital during this period.
