Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Theo Gerber, the DA Caucus Leader in Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality.
The fire that engulfed the Christiana Hospital yesterday ranks as one of the biggest disasters to hit the town ever. Thankfully, no casualties or injuries were reported and all 18 admitted patients were successfully evacuated to nearby clinics and hospitals.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Lekwa-Teemane has been on site since the fire was reported, yesterday morning. 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.
The hospital site is now cordoned off and under the supervision of a forensic team to ascertain the cause of the fire.
The Christiana 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.
Medical staff at all clinics are capacitated to treat most emergencies, stabilise patients, and coordinate patient transportation to bigger hospitals for further treatment and for surgery.
The DA is proud that people from all walks of life joined hands to limit the damage to the hospital. This shows the spirit of dedication to the community the people of Christiana hold so dear to their hearts.