Patients Run for Their Lives After Hospital Catches Fire

IT WAS a pathetic scene at Mankraso last Monday as scores of patients were compelled to leave their sick beds and run for their lives following a fire outbreak at the Mankranso Government Hospital.

The medical institution, situated at Ahafo Ano South in the Ashanti Region, caught fire on Monday dawn, damaging equipment in several departments.

The blaze was said to have also caused panic among medical doctors, nurses and other para-medical staff of the hospital as they also left their equipment behind and fled.

Dr. Fiifi Okyere, Medical Director of the hospital, lamented that medical items worth about GH¢300,000 were destroyed during the blaze, which started around 5:30 am. He was, however, grateful to residents of the area, who put their lives on the line to battle the fire.

Dr. Okyere also commended firefighters from Tepa, Bechem and Nkawie for the swift manner in which they rushed to the scene.

He said fortunately, all the patients and staffers who were on duty at the time were rescued to safety by the residents.

The cause of the fire is not immediately known, but eye witnesses say they suspect an electrical fault.

By: Afia Sarpong Amankwa