​The Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has thanked the Gauteng Social Development Department for rolling its sleeves and offered support during the Boksburg gas tanker explosion that saw the death of forty-one (41) people.
Speaking at Tambo Memorial Hospital to oversee the reopening of affected units, Nkomo-Ralehoko said the health sector suffered a heavy blow with 12 employees succumbing to injuries and eight firefighters from the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services suffering serious injuries.

“The hospital is now able to receive critical patients in the accident and emergency unit for the following departments: general surgery, radiology, orthopaedics, ENT (ear, nose and throat), ophthalmology (dealing with medical conditions relating to the eye), paediatric, high-risk and low-risk maternity, internal medicine, and all trauma cases that require the paediatricians and intensive care unit.”

“I want to commend the public for the level of cooperation offered to the hospital during this period. It is never easy to tell people to go receive services somewhere else.”

“I wish to also acknowledge the role played by the Department of Infrastructure Development for swiftly ensuring that the affected sections of the hospital are fixed as quickly as possible to enable us to restore full services at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.”

“The Gauteng Department of Social Development has been liaising with affected people and continues to offer trauma therapy to families and assist with food parcels to those that need such assistance. Social workers have been allocated to the families to offer further support,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.