The MEC today visited Tembisa, Tambo Memorial, Far East Rand and Thelle Mogoerane Hospitals in the City of Ekurhuleni to assess the conditions of patients admitted there.

In the bus incident, the injured patients were transported to several health facilities across the province. The tragic accident claimed 14 lives, with 12 bodies collected from scene and transported to Germiston Forensic Pathology Service mortuary while two (2) demised at Tambo Memorial Hospital.

Gauteng Emergency Medical Services transported 77 patients to public and private healthcare facilities. Many have since been discharged while some are still receiving care in various wards.

Tembisa Hospital received a total of fifteen (15) patients and nine (9) of them have been discharged while six (6) are still admitted for further care. The Far East Rand Hospital received a total of eleven (11) patients and seven (7) of them have been discharged, while three (3) are still receiving care and one (1) has been transferred to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). Thelle Mogoerane Hospital received thirteen (13) patients, and out of these, eight (8) were seen at Family Medicine and were discharged on the same day, while five (5) were admitted at the Accident and Emergency. Out of these f5, four (4) have been discharged and one (1) is still admitted.

Additionally, 13 patients were received at Tambo Memorial Hospital. Sadly, 2 of these patients have demised, while 5 remain admitted in a critical but stable condition, and another 5 discharged while 1 patient was transferred to a private facility. Edenvale Hospital received 8 patients, and 6 have been discharged while 1 is still admitted and 1 has been transferred to CMJAH. Bertha Gxowa Hospital received 4 patients, two of them have discharged, 1 transferred to CMJAH and 1 to a private hospital.

Out of the 14 people that have demised, 11 families have already identified their loved ones at the Germiston mortuary. Of the 2 that demised while admitted at Tambo Memorial, 1 has been identified and the process to identify the other deceased is underway.

In another incident this morning (12 March), the Tambo Memorial and Thelle Mogoerane Hospitals received 46 learners from Sekgutlong Primary School from Katlehong following a scholar transport accident. Fortunately, all these learners have been discharged. Meanwhile, the Tambo Memorial Hospital on Monday (10 March) received four patients from an incident where 8 leaners were involved in a scholar transport accident. Out of the 8 learners, 4 demised while 3 were discharged from the hospital and 1 admitted at CMJAH.

During her visits, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko interacted with some patients and their families, assuring them that they are in the right hands for quality care. The MEC also expressed her condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and commended the healthcare workers for their swift response in ensuring that all injured patients receive the necessary care they need to recover.

“The health and well-being of our patients are of utmost importance; we are here to support them and their families during this difficult time. I want to assure the families that these patients are in good hands. My deepest condolences to the families of those who have demised during these horrific incidents,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.

To ensure that families receive the necessary support during this period, the Gauteng Department of Health is establishing a Disaster Command Centre at Thelle Mogoerane Hospital to provide families with various forms of support required. Details on how to reach the centre will be communicated before the end of the week. The Department together with its sister departments and non-governmental organisations (NGO) will also provide the affected families with psychosocial support.

Ends//

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health