By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
- Witport Hospital evacuates all patients after overflow from Palala dam causes flooding.
- Local clinics and Ellisras Hospital taking in patients while roads remain dangerous.
A Limpopo hospital had to move all its patients and staff to safety after heavy rains caused flooding from a nearby dam.
Water from the overflowing Palala Dam has flooded Witport Hospital in Lephalale, forcing health workers to move patients to other facilities.
Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana told Scrolla.Africa they’re putting safety first.
“The evacuation process is being carried out with the utmost care and urgency to ensure that all the patients are transferred to a safe and secure environment. Community members who require medical assistance are advised to seek services at the nearby Shongoane Clinic, Seleka Clinic and Abbotspoort Clinic,” said Shikwambana.
The floods have hit the whole Lephalale area hard. Disaster coordinator Sempe Shongoane warned people to stay away from the overflowing Mokolo River and drive carefully on flooded roads.
“Motorists are advised to be cautious when driving along the above-mentioned routes, reduce speed, maintain a safe following distance and avoid driving through flooded roads,” said Shongoane.
For emergencies, people should go to Ellisras Hospital, which is still working normally.
Jacob Molepo from the nurses’ union DENOSA said their members are helping with the evacuation, but some can’t reach the hospital because of flooded roads.
“Our members have so far not been negatively impacted by the flooding at the hospital, but we are cooperating with the department on the evacuation process,” said Molepo.
Pictured above: Witport Hospital in Lephalale after flooding from nearby Palala dam.
Source: Supplied
