The Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness has urged people affected by lightning strikes to prioritise rest, hydration, and medical monitoring following an incident that left 46 people injured during a community gathering in Hammanskraal on Saturday.

The call was made during a visit by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, to Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal on Monday, where a six-year-old patient is recovering from injuries sustained from a lightning strike.

According to the department, the incident occurred in Dertig Village, where 46 people were struck by lightning.

The patients were initially taken to Mathibestad Clinic for emergency care before being referred to Jubilee Hospital for further medical assessment and treatment.

The department said health officials reported that most of the patients sustained superficial burns and experienced numbness as a result of the lightning strike.

Following treatment and observation, 45 of the patients were discharged the following day.

“However, one six-year-old child remains admitted in the paediatric unit at Jubilee Hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition,” said the department in a statement.

Nkomo-Ralehoko spent time with the young patient and family, demonstrating compassion and empathy while reassuring them of the department’s continued support.

The visit also served as an opportunity for the MEC to commend healthcare workers for their swift and co-ordinated response to the emergency.

The MEC expressed her appreciation to the healthcare team at Jubilee Hospital, as well as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), for their tireless efforts in providing essential healthcare services under challenging circumstances.

“We acknowledge the role played by frontline workers in ensuring that all affected patients received timely and appropriate care.

“The Department of Health and Wellness urges all those affected by the lightning strike to take care of their health in the days following the event.”

The department advised patients to rest, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and seek immediate medical attention if they experience concerning symptoms such as confusion or concentrated urine, which could indicate underlying complications.

As part of her visit, Nkomo-Ralehoko also took the MEC’s Desk to Jubilee Hospital.

The MEC’s Desk is an initiative aimed at creating a direct consultative platform between patients and the MEC during her visits to healthcare facilities.

The programme allows patients to engage directly with the MEC, share their experiences and provide feedback on service delivery.

“Through this initiative, we continue to prioritise quality healthcare, ensuring patient voices lead to meaningful action,” she said.

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