Patients evacuated from flooded Witpoort hospital
The Limpopo Department of Health has evacuated patients from Witpoort Hospital in Lephalale due to flooding.
The flooding was caused by the Palala dam, which overflowed, drastically raising the levels of the Lephalale river.
The river runs past the hospital.
The region has experienced heavy rains over the past few weeks, leading to localised flooding.
Patients were moved to neighbouring Ellisras Hospital, while non-emergency visits have been directed to local clinics in Shongoane, Abbotspoort and Ga-Seleka.
"The overflow has caused significant flooding in the area, leading to the temporary closure of the hospital for safety and operational reasons,” said Department of Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana.
"The safety and well-being of our patients, staff, and the surrounding community are our top priority.
"The evacuation process is being carried out with the utmost care and urgency to ensure that all patients are transferred to a safe and secure environment."
Shikwambana added that some of the residences used by hospital staff were also flooded.
"Medical staff and resources from Witpoort Hospital are being relocated to nearby facilities to ensure that there is no disruption in essential healthcare services."
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