The National District Hospital in Bloemfontein remains closed for public use due to ongoing investigations into the cause of a fire that gutted part of the facility on 7 July.
This probing involves the police forensics team from Pretoria and the Free State Department of Employment and Labour.
In addition, the Free State Department of Health is also yet to quantify the losses incurred due to the fire.
It is still unclear what the exact cause of the fire was that ravaged at least three sections at the oldest health facility in the province. The fire reportedly caused extensive damage to three areas of the hospital: ward 3, for paediatrics; ward 5, which is classified as a mixed ward; and ward 7, for male patients.
The police forensic team reportedly began with its investigation on 11 July.
Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the provincial Department of Health, said the department had no access to the facility yet, with the investigations being ongoing.
He said it was still unclear how long these specialists would work at the scene of the fire before handing over the building to the Department of Employment and Labour, which would then determine when to enable the Department of Health to have access.
Mvambi said while the facility remained closed for investigations, members of the public should continue using the nearest clinic facilities to receive health services or, alternatively, go to the polyclinic at the Pelonomi Hospital, the Dr JS Moroka Hospital in Thaba Nchu, or the Botshabelo District Hospital.
“As a result of the shortage of available beds in Bloemfontein, patients may be sent to any health facility in the Mangaung Metro region.
“Patients will be transported there and will be safely returned to Bloemfontein upon being discharged,” said Mvambi.
The blaze at the National District Hospital reportedly started outside the paediatric ward, where the trees caught fire, and spread to both the first and second floor of the hospital.
The fire was detected at about 15:20 on the day in question.
