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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West Department of Health said they have ferried all eighteen admitted patients at Christiana Hospital to the nearest clinics and hospitals. This comes after the hospital that was under a whopping R95 million construction was engulfed by fire on Wednesday morning.

The department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said what has happened to the hospital is one of the biggest disasters to hit the town ever. He said they are grateful that no casualties or injuries were reported as all admitted patients were successfully evacuated.

“The indication is that the fire started on Phase 3 of the construction site, where the construction was underway when it broke out. It was at exactly 8:50am when a small smoke was noticed coming from the construction area and it quickly engulfed the entire hospital.

“It then spread to the new handed over sites where patients were being housed and other sections of the facility. We can confirm that everything has been damaged including all new health equipment,” he said.

He further said when the fire started, staff members responded swiftly by evacuating all patients from the wards to the fire assembly area as per occupational health and safety policy. Lekgethwane also lauded the Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality Fire department for their swiftly responded.  

“At the moment, the contractor (Temi construction) verbally informed us that, they are not in a position to furnish us with a report from their side. However, they indicated that, they will do so, within few days as they first have to forward it to the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA).

“The department is looking into a plan to be developed on further management of Christiana patients requiring admission. We also looking into a detailed cost estimates to be drafted and submitted to the MEC,” said Lekgethwane.

He said a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire will be conducted with assistance of District Fire Management as well as Public Works department. Lekgethwane said the staff at the hospital will be offered psychological support to manage the traumatic experience.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance councillor in Lekwa-Teemane, Theo Gerber said: “We are grateful to the hospital and emergency response staff for their efforts to protect lives and to contain the blaze. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of local farmers, the neighbourhood watch, and business owners for lending a helping hand.

“Unfortunately, the entire medical section has been destroyed by the fire, including all patient files held there, medical equipment, and the operating theatre, but the hospital kitchen, pharmacy, mortuary, and laundry sections remain intact.”

He said the hospital site is now cordoned off and under the supervision of a forensic team to ascertain the cause of the fire. Gerber said the hospital has been under renovation, but this fire will put the entire project on hold.

“The DA will engage the provincial government to allocate emergency funding to the project so that we can have this important medical centre fully operational again in the shortest time possible.

“In the meantime, medical doctors and professional staff will be on call and offer treatment at all clinics as well as dispense all chronic medicine. Maternity services will only be available at the Utlwanang Clinic which operates 24/7,” said Gerber.

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