The Mankayane Government Hospital was forced to close its doors to the public following a fire that broke out Sunday evening, leaving the facility without electricity.
Community members watched in shock as flames engulfed part of the hospital at around 9pm, causing extensive damage to its electrical systems.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
Initial reports suggest that a faulty electric heater may have sparked the blaze in a utility area. News of the fire at the hospital spread like wildfire on Sunday evening, with fears that it could lead to deaths.
Sources indicate that the heater was plugged into a socket beneath a window curtain, which likely ignited and spread to the male and female surgical wards, as well as two nearby duty stations.
As a result, staff at the hospital worked tirelessly to evacuate patients, with at least 25 of them being moved to the Mbabane Government Hospital, in a swift exercise that prevented what would have been a tragedy.
“The evacuation of patients was executed swiftly, as there were concerns about potential damage to wiring cables and further fire hazards,” a source stated.
ALSO READ | Men should share their struggles – Lutfo
Although immediate danger was contained to the two wards and adjacent offices, smoke spread throughout the building, prompting staff to evacuate patients from other areas.
“Keeping them in their wards was risky due to smoke inhalation and the potential for structural collapse,” said an insider.
It is believed that in some parts of the building, the roof was falling off, prompting the emergency evacuation of the patients.
According to sources, 11 Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) ambulances and three additional ones that were at the hospital were used to evacuate the patients.
Healthcare workers, aided by (EPR) personnel, worked through the night to evacuate patients and transfer them to other hospitals. Critical cases, including neonates and expectant mothers in labour, were prioritised for relocation.
Patients were safely transported to Nhlangano Health Centre, Mbabane Government Hospital, and Hlatikhulu Government Hospital.
According to Nsindiso Tsabedze, the Ministry of Health’s Communications Officer, 25 critical patients were moved to facilities equipped to provide necessary medical care. Stable patients were housed in a separate structure within the hospital premises.
The Mankayane facility experienced a total power outage as a result of the fire.
Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula and other senior health officials inspected the scene the following morning. Following their assessments, a decision was made to transfer all patients to ensure their safety as power restoration efforts began.
“The ministry decided to relocate patients to guarantee their access to medical care while we work on restoring electricity,” Tsabedze noted.
Members of the public seeking non-emergency medical services were advised to visit nearby facilities until Mankayane Hospital can reopen.
The Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) Public Relations Office Mandla Dlamini said that firefighters received notification of the fire at 9pm, stating that they were able to bring it under control an hour or so later.
“The hospital was saved, with only a small portion of the building affected and 70% remaining intact,” added Dlamini.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
