Ponta Delgada between the Santo Cristo festivities and the fire at the hospital. What happened? – Present

These days, Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores, would be the subject of news and reports on the feast of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres. This Saturday, the faithful began arriving early in the morning at Campo de São Francisco to pay their promises — and they guarantee that “faith gives strength”.

However, the Azorean city would be a different topic for the press: a fire broke out this morning at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada.

What happened?

The first alert for the fire was given at 09:40 local time (10:40 in Lisbon). Everything indicates that the fire started in a technical area intended for the hospital’s power transformation stations.

It was also explained that the flames broke out in the installations and equipment area and, at 3:00 pm, were concentrated in the carpentry area.

Was the functioning of the hospital affected?

Yes. Due to the fire, all patients admitted to Ponta Delgada Hospital have been transferred. At 5:15 pm local time (6:15 pm in Lisbon), 29 patients remained to be removed from hospital facilities.

Critical and seriously ill patients were transferred to the CUF hospital, in the city of Lagoa, and the rest to health centers, the Casa de Saúde de Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the Clínica do Bom Jesus.

The fire in the largest health unit in the Azores forced the closure of the Emergency Department, Delivery Unit and Operating Unit, the evacuation of all patients and affected the infrastructure’s electrical system.

In addition, “the hospital discharges of hospitalized patients who would leave throughout the day were brought forward”.

At this moment, the hospital administration has no predictions about when the situation in that unit will return to normal, but has guaranteed that “it will be restored as soon as possible”.

Are there victims?

Rui Andrade, responsible for the Civil Protection and Fire Department of the Azores, said at the end of the afternoon that nine firefighters suffered “slight injuries, with burns and poisoning due to the fumes”.

Among patients there is no occurrence.

What is the status of the fire?

The fire was declared extinguished at 4:11 pm local time (5:11 pm in Lisbon).

“We noticed throughout the day that the fire, despite being limited, gained intensity, which meant that we arrived throughout the day with an accumulation of resources of 104 firefighters, 18 red fire-fighting cars and 26 ambulances”, he highlighted.

The Army also mobilized “an ambulance and four IVECO medical vehicles, and 15 soldiers to support local authorities”, the SAPO24. Thus, “support was provided for the transport of 39 beds, seven hospital trolleys and various hospital supplies to the Health Unit on the Island of São Miguel”.

On festive days and with this fire, what is the health authorities’ plan?

The regional secretary of Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, stressed that “the concern is to guarantee the safety of all patients” and “of the population of the island of São Miguel, whose number this weekend is well above what is usual “, due to the feasts of Santo Cristo.

“To guarantee access to health care for the population, we immediately activated the basic emergency units at the Health Centers, which will operate 24 hours a day, because the emergency service at Ponta Delgada Hospital is currently closed,” he said.

In case of more serious situations, patients should be referred to the Emergency Service of the private CUF Hospital, located on the island of São Miguel, which is coordinated with the teams at the Ponta Delgada Hospital.

As for the Birthing and Operating Room, which are also currently closed, a plan has already been defined, in conjunction with the CUF, to respond to emergencies, by reinforcing elements of the Ponta Delgada Hospital.

“There is this concern to guarantee the safety of users and the resident population”, stressed the regional secretary, admitting that if necessary, patients could be removed to other islands.

The regional secretary also revealed that it is expected that “in the next four to five days it will be difficult to restore normal energy to Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo”.

The parties also reached the hospital. What had to be cancelled?

Due to the fire, the mass for the sick, which was to be held this morning, in the hospital unit, as part of the feast of Senhor Santo Cristo, was not celebrated, according to information from the Diocese of Angra.

In the note sent to newsrooms by the Church’s Diocesan Social Communications service, the bishop of Angra regrets the fire, which prevented the celebration of the Eucharist in the Hospital Chapel.

“It is undoubtedly a sad event and that is why my first word goes to the Hospital Administration, to the Hospital Chaplaincy, but above all to the patients. If there is a place where the Feast of Senhor Santo Cristo should arrive, this would be it,” said Armando Esteves Domingues to Sítio Igreja Açores.

In addition to the Eucharistic celebration, a visit to the wards was planned.

“I had the opportunity to leave a word to the patients and I want to express my gratitude to everyone for the work they did in preparing this celebration, which unfortunately cannot be held”, highlights the diocesan prelate.

*With Lusa