Tambo memorial hospital reopens after deadly tanker explosion
Written by Thapelo Magola
Tambo memorial hospital has been reopened to patience after it was partially destroyed in a deadly tanker explosion that killed at least 41 people and injured dozens others. The hospital has been closed since Christmas Eve following the explosion caused by the gas leak from the tanker after being compressed under a low-lying bridge before igniting, with the inferno engulfing bystanders and damaging private and public infrastructure within an estimated 500 meters from the scene.
The impact of the explosion affected the Accident and Emergency Department, Radiology Department and other sections of the hospital, resulting in damages to the ceiling and some windows in the Antenatal Care Department, Operating Theatre and various other sections of the hospital.
Speaking during the reopening of the facility, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Ms Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko stated that the building has been structurally reviewed from top to bottom and the entire complex has been uplifted following the testing and quality checks of the clinical machines and the subsequent lifting of the prohibition notice by the department of Labour.
The impact of the explosion affected the Accident and Emergency Department, Radiology Department and other sections of the hospital, resulting in damages to the ceiling and some windows in the Antenatal Care Department, Operating Theatre and various other sections of the hospital.
As a result of the above, the hospital was placed on ambulance diversion since 24 December 2022 to 27 January 2023 at 8pm. Patients coming-in with private vehicle and walk-inns were either admitted or stabilized and transferred to neighboring facilities based on the assessment of doctors.
All staff members who were allocated to neighboring facilities have also been recalled. 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. We still want to advice the public of our referral pathways which requires for patients to receive the right level of care at the appropriate facility.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko added that South African Police Services investigators have concluded their investigation and have already handed over the docket to the National Prosecution.
