The cause of the fire is currently unknown and is under investigation, according to the hospital's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kebba Sanneh.
The EFSTH is a major healthcare facility in The Gambia, known for its paediatric department, which has been working to improve care despite challenges.
Health Minister Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh has visited the Teaching Hospital following the fire outbreak at the paediatric ward. He confirmed that all patients, including those in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), were safely evacuated.
The minister's visit was to review the response and assess the situation, as the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“The team on site acted quickly, using available fire safety resources,” Dr Samateh said. “The babies were moved to safety before the arrival of the fire service, which assisted in extinguishing the fire.”
Dr Samateh stated that affected patients have been relocated to other wards, including newly renovated areas, where care is continuing. He noted that government officials, including the Defence Minister and the National Security Advisor, were present during the visit.
“All patients are stable and operations are continuing in alternative wards,” the minister said.
However, the preliminary reports point to a possible electrical fault as the cause of the fire at the paediatric ward. “A full investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause. The swift response from emergency crews and hospital staff ensured all patients were safely evacuated, including those in the NICU,” the health ministry stated.
