The Free State health department has officially opened wards and sections of the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein that were gutted by a fire in July 2024.

Despite a year-long investigation, the cause of the fire is still unknown. It's suspected it may have been caused by a cigarette.

"We are still not sure what caused the fire. We are still waiting to hear from law enforcement agencies. But we only hope that the ordeal doesn't repeat itself," says Health MEC Viceroy Mahlasti, who was addressing the media at the hospital's Gateway Clinic this week.

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For the past year, patients and staff at the National Hospital have been diverted to surrounding hospitals.

"We had to transfer workers to other facilities while the construction was still underway. We are happy that things are now back to normal, and each thing that was affected by the fire is now fixed and renewed," says Mahlatsi.

Some services, such as eye-care and oncology, were being provided in a building adjacent to the main hospital. These services have now moved back to their previous wards.

Ntsoaki Lesawana, 72, was at the hospital for eye treatment when the fire broke out last year. This week, she returned and witnessed the opening of the refurbished ward.

"There is a very big difference compared to before the fire. This is better than how the area used to be before, the rooms look new," she says.

Other departments that have been restored include the pharmacy, outpatient department, and medical ward.

Workers have pleaded with the MEC to ban smoking inside the hospital yard. Gideon Dirone says both workers and patients should be barred from using firelighters inside the hospital precinct.

"There should not be anyone with fire matches and any type of lighters inside the hospital because that will cause a similar incident," he says. - Health-e News