A fire at the Phuthuloha Hospital in Ficksburg has raised serious concerns regarding safety in Free State healthcare facilities.

The provincial Department of Health reported the incident, which occurred on Tuesday night (16/7). The blaze allegedly started in the seclusion room where one patient was present, said departmental spokesperson Mondli Mvambi. The patient was safely evacuated, and the fire was quickly extinguished.

Mvambi said eleven patients had to be evacuated from the hospital to prevent the risk of smoke inhalation. Seven, including four women and three children, were transferred to Clocolan’s JD Newberry Hospital.

‘No one was injured or killed’

Three male patients were relocated to Ladybrand’s Senorita Ntlabathi Hospital, and one male patient was moved to Dihlabeng Regional Hospital. Mvambi confirmed that no one was injured or killed in the fire and that all patients were accounted for.

“The Free State Department of Health thanked the speedy response of the officials on duty who used the fire extinguishers at the hospital to quell the fire,” Mvambi said. “Many thanks also go to the municipal fire brigade and EMS, which responded (quickly) to ensure that the situation was brought under control.”

This incident at Phuthuloha Hospital is the latest in a series of troubling events affecting Free State healthcare facilities over the past two weeks. On Sunday (5/7) National Hospital in Bloemfontein had to be closed down after a fire broke out.

A total of 83 patients were safely evacuated and transported to various hospitals in Bloemfontein, with no injuries or fatalities reported. However, there were concerns among family members regarding nine bodies of deceased individuals who remained in the hospital mortuary.

In another incident, a patient died at Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Hospital in Phuthaditjhaba, allegedly after the electricity went off. Free State Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi has since visited the hospital to address the electricity and water challenges affecting the facility.

Additionally, a child (4) died in the Botshabelo Hospital following a tooth extraction procedure on Wednesday (10/7). These services have been suspended pending an investigation into the toddler’s death.

MEC Mahlatsi has expressed his sadness and urged the public to remain calm as the hospital completes its investigation.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi