Hospital without electricity
Ministry comments on the power outage
The health ministry has clarified the temporary power outage at Windhoek Central Hospital last week, giving the assurance that the situation was effectively managed and no patients were at risk.The permanent secretary Ben Nangombe said the temporary power outage occurred in the west wing of the hospital on Friday, 24 January. "The west wing of Windhoek Central Hospital, where the temporary power outage occurred, includes areas such as the Main Intensive Care Unit and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Patients in the affected departments were moved to other appropriate areas of the hospital. Swift action and emergency procedures ensured that no patient was exposed to any risk or danger. No patients experienced any complications as a result of the outage," said Nangombe.
He explained that the outage was caused by an overflow from a secondary water storage tank that malfunctioned, causing water to enter a power distribution box, causing a short circuit, blowing fuses.
Nangombe noted that technicians from the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and the City of Windhoek attended to the emergency and restored power. He also confirmed that hospital managers were on site at all times to ensure a coordinated approach.