A severe storm in the Eastern Cape has forced health officials to evacuate patients from Bhisho Hospital to neighbouring facilities after multiple power failures left critical areas, including the labour ward, in darkness.
The storm struck the Bhisho area on Wednesday, severely damaging electricity and water supply infrastructure serving the hospital and surrounding communities, the Eastern Cape Department of Health said in a statement.
Although the municipality restored power on Wednesday evening, the supply failed again on Thursday evening, triggering a series of equipment breakdowns.
“One of the two generators on the hospital premises failed and is currently being repaired,” the statement read.
“The department hired a replacement generator, which was assessed as adequate, but this backup unit also failed on Thursday night. Sadly, this second generator kicked in but also went down on Thursday night, leaving parts of the hospital like the labour ward in darkness,” officials confirmed.
The storm also damaged water infrastructure, including pipes connecting the hospital’s Jojo tanks to the main water system.
A repair company worked on site on Thursday to fix the damaged pipes, whilst the department ordered 100,000 litres of emergency water supplies.
“The Department ordered 100,000 litres of water and carting commenced on Wednesday evening,” the statement read. “This water is moving through the hospital reticulation, though it does take some time to reach the actual taps in the wards.”
Municipal water supply has since been restored, though officials warn it will take several hours to reach the hospital’s distribution network.
To ensure patients continue receiving clinical care, the department has begun transferring patients to surrounding facilities including Cecilia Makiwane Hospital and SS Gida Hospital.
The community has been advised to seek medical care at Grey Hospital, whilst Bhisho Hospital staff remain on standby to handle any emergencies.
