Health Minister Ussene Isse announced this Sunday that a multisectoral team is on the ground carrying out an assessment to determine the extent of the damage caused by the fire to equipment belonging to the Oncology Service at Maputo Central Hospital (HCM).
According to the minister, although the flames did not reach the bunker, an area considered the heart of the radiotherapy services, where specialised equipment is located, it is necessary to await the results of the technical assessment before determining whether the machines are operational.
Isse explained that this equipment is highly sensitive to high temperatures, meaning that the absence of visible damage does not necessarily indicate that it is in working condition.
The minister also assured that the fire caused no deaths or injuries. All 22 patients who were hospitalised in the Oncology ward were evacuated in time, thanks to the intervention of the various sectors involved in the rescue operation.
“We recorded no loss of human life in this fire. The 22 patients who were hospitalised in the Oncology ward were evacuated in good time. We recorded no injuries,” he said.
Of the 22 patients evacuated, 12 were discharged from hospital, while the remaining ten were transferred to the Dermatology Service, where they continue to receive medical care and psychological support.
The Ministry of Health activated a rescue and service continuity protocol at HCM to ensure that cancer patients are not deprived of the care they need. In this context, a unit for the care and support of oncology patients was established to provide assistance to patients requiring hospitalisation and those receiving outpatient treatment.
“Our mission is to save lives and we will take care of you. We have drawn up this plan at HCM so that, from tomorrow (Monday, 2 November), we can receive patients coming for hospitalisation and those coming for outpatient treatment,” the minister assured.
The minister also highlighted the intervention of several public institutions, with particular reference to the National Public Rescue Service, firefighters from Maputo International Airport, the National Atomic Energy Agency and healthcare professionals, whose actions were decisive in preventing more serious consequences.
No risk of radioactive contamination
Regarding the risks of radiation exposure, Ussene Isse clarified that the cobalt capsule used in radiotherapy procedures was safely removed and is being properly stored, thanks to the technical assistance of the National Atomic Energy Agency.
The minister explained that the capsule contains a radioactive source used in cancer treatment, whose handling requires specialised care, and assured that there is no risk of radioactive contamination.
He added that radiation measurements had been taken in the vicinity of the radiotherapy area, with negative results, recording zero, which also rules out the risk of exposure for the population living near the service.
“I would like to emphasise once again that there is no risk of contamination,” he stressed.
Despite the assurances regarding radiological safety, the minister reiterated that the assessment of the equipment remains a priority, particularly because this is a highly specialised service that is essential for the treatment of oncology patients.
The minister said that the incident could have turned into a major tragedy, given the number of human lives at risk when the fire broke out.
On the same occasion, he appealed to the public to avoid sharing videos and false information about the incident, warning that the circulation of content taken out of context could generate fear and misinformation in society.
Isse also urged citizens to follow the official information released by the Government, the Ministry of Health and Maputo Central Hospital.
HCM is expected to release updated clinical information on the condition of the patients affected by the incident this Monday (2 November).
The minister reiterated that health is one of the priorities of President Daniel Chapo, as part of his commitment to bringing healthcare closer to citizens.
Source: AIM Moçambique
