More than 100 patients were evacuated from the Tshepong hospital near Klerksdorp in the North West after heavy rains flooded the hospital on Monday.
Hospital chief executive Kathy Randeree said patients were moved to Klerksdorp hospital, Potchefstroom hospital and mining hospitals in Stilfontein and Orkney.
”We have moved some of the patients already and are still in the process of moving other patients,” Randeree said. ”All the patients are fine, including those that still need to be moved. We have to evacuate about 150 more patients.”
Randeree said water flooded the hospital through the roof, which was badly damaged during a hailstorm at about 11am. ”In some places the roof has fallen in. The water is knee high in the casualty area and almost above the ankle in other areas.”
Randeree said that once all the patients were evacuated the extent of the damage would be assessed. She urged the public not to panic.
”We have things under control and we are doing our best to handle the situation.”
The Tshepong hospital will be closed until further notice. The public should take all patients to the Klerksdorp hospital, Randeree said. — Sapa