THE National Referral Hospital (NRH) is investigating a fire incident that occurred at the hospital’s post-natal ward staff office late yesterday afternoon, that forced staff, caregivers, mothers, and their babies to evacuate the ward.
Fortunately, all occupants including newborn babies at the ward were unharmed with no injuries incurred during the incident.
From initial reports received, the fire started when an aluminum electrical water heater at the post-natal staff office room was left on for some time and eventually without water. The fire then started from the heater’s electrical compartment and then spread across the office.
The smoke coming out from the office raised alarm amongst staff and patients who then evacuated the ward immediately and took safety at the hospital’s sea wall.
Fire extinguishers were brought in and used to curb and eventually kill the fire with the RSIPF fire truck on standby outside the building should the fire escalate.
All the mothers and babies were then moved to the children’s ward and further westside of the same ward – caesarean section bay, awaiting assessments and repairs to the post-natal before it can once again accommodate postnatal mothers and new born babies.
NRH CEO said that this was an unfortunate situation, that the hospital is seriously investigating looking into it to ensure that it does not ever happen again.
‘Sincere apologies to all patients the mothers and their babies including family members providing care at the ward for the incidence’, said Dr. Malefoasi.
Last year officer from the fire department did an assessment with the hospital’s Occupational Health and Safety team and among other things recommended the purchase of 96 fire extinguishers.
Hospital is procuring a few at a time and positioning them in strategic sites across the hospital.
MHMS PRESS.
Feature photo caption: On the left, Office that caught fire and NRH Staff and helpers cleaning the ward on the aftermath of the incident.
