X-ray services at Polokwane Hospital in Limpopo closed abruptly this week following a devastating blast at the radiology unit that injured three people.

The damage occurred on Tuesday when an MRI machine that was being decommissioned “accidentally expelled huge volumes of air at the hospital radiology unit”, says provincial Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego in a statement. “The expelled air caused infrastructure damage at the unit.” 

The decommissioning work was being done by a private company, hired by the Limpopo department of health.

Out of service

Health-e News visited Polokwane Hospital on Wednesday, the day after the incident, and saw a massive damage to the radiology unit which has been blasted out of service.

The hospital, which is a tertiary institution, has started diverting x-ray clients from its feeding hospitals to Mankweng Hospital about 28 km away, or to Seshego Hospital a distance of about 12 kms away. 

Patients already admitted are being helped with mobile x-ray machines.

Permission for interviews with patients and hospital workers inside the hospital was not granted.

Human injuries

Two radiographers attached to the hospital and a technician from a private company sustained injuries during the blast, Health-e News has learnt.

“The technician suffered rib fractures. He was apparently injured by debris when the ceiling of the radiology unit caved in during the blast. He was pulled out from the rubble and treated here at the hospital but later airlifted to a private clinic in Johannesburg,” a source at the hospital says.

“One of the radiographers has transferred to a private clinic here in Polokwane and the other has been discharged,” another source adds.

Rubble inside

Things outside the hospital looked normal on Wednesday with informal traders selling food to workers and visitors. But the radiology unit inside resembled the aftermath of a bomb blast.

Ceilings had caved in while cables and pieces of metal were hanging down. Debris littered dented floors and walking through the rubble required careful treading.

Radiation danger may not occur

Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) provincial chairperson Lesiba Monyaki has wished the trio who sustained injuries speedy recovery.

“Fortunately patients, most workers and visitors had already been evacuated from the radiology unit as routine precautionary measures before repairs and decommissioning were done. 

“We hope management is telling the truth by assuring us that no one inside and outside the hospital is in danger of possible exposure to radiation.

 “But we are still in talks with management in the wake of this tragedy.”

During this reporter’s visit to the hospital, officials from the labour department, senior x-rays technicians as well as representatives from a private company that was carrying out the work on MRI scan were still inspecting the damage.

Hospital managers were also busy mobilising various union representatives for a formal briefing before issuing a communique on the tragedy to workers.

No panic in the vicinity

While the damage to the radiology unit is massive, the explosion was apparently not loud enough to be heard some distances away.

Most informal traders next to the hospital entrance and workers at some factories nearby told Health-e News they did not hear the blast. 

“I only learnt from the radio in the evening that there was an explosion here next to me,” says Elizabeth Sithole who sells sweets and fruits at the roadside, about half a kilometre from the hospital.

Official investigation

MEC Mashego visited Polokwane Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, the day of the incident, and stated that investigations into the blast would commence immediately.“An assessment is still being made to establish the cause of the damage. Developments will be provided as they become available,” says Mashego in a statement issued to the media. – Health-e News