Lives In Danger As Fire Guts Kano Hospital

On Friday morning, Rogo General Hospital in Kano State was gutted by a fire that burnt down major parts of the facility, leaving the patients, workers, and residents panicking.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke to THE WHISTLER who were at the scene before the arrival of firefighters, thick clouds of smoke could be seen above the hospital buildings as flames swept the building.

The fire was reportedly caused by a fault that was associated with the solar power installation in the hospital.

The fire burnt down large parts of the facility, including those that were vital to the management of patients.

The residents explained that the incident is a blow to the community because Rogo General Hospital is the sole large healthcare centre that caters for the residents.
The fire has sparks concerns on where patients would now get urgent care, as most of their PHCs provide deficient healthcare.

Amina, a heavily pregnant woman, inside one of the wards gutted by the fire, said, “I do not know what to do now. This is where I make all my antenatal checks.

“This fire has to make me travel nearly one hour before reaching the next local government.

“I am in a delicate condition. This hospital was my only hope.”

Sani Shuaibu Rogo, a community elder, noted that “This place serves the whole local government, we don’t have another general hospital anywhere close.

“The government must act fast. If they delay, lives will be in danger because people have nowhere else to go.”

Another resident, Hauwa Belli, who brought her sick child to the hospital, stood confused as local firefighters battled the flames.

“This hospital has saved many lives in this town. Now that major parts are destroyed, where do we run to? We are begging the government to rebuild it immediately,” she said.

The members of the community and the hospital employees are urging the Kano State Government and other concerned bodies to take action now and rebuild the damaged facilities, and enhance safety levels at the facility.

They emphasized the fact that the services of the hospital are crucial to thousands of residents who turn to it only to receive healthcare.

At the time of writing this report, it was yet to be officially announced the number of casualties or property damaged by the fire.