Wednesday Sept.  09  2009  --- CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC –Prime Minister Stephenson King is promising to rebuild the St. Jude’s Hospital “within the shortest period of time” after fire swept through the facility killing at least three people and injuring an unknown number of others during the early hours of Wednesday.

The authorities said that the charred remains of two persons had been found in the burnt out building in the southern town of Vieux Fort, while a third person died on the way to the Victoria Hospital in the capital. Their identities have not been released.

Fire officials confirmed that a number of persons had also been injured in the blaze that destroyed the surgical and recovery wards as well as the operating theatre of the 110-bed hospital.

They said that patients were evacuated to the nearby campus of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College which has now been transformed into a make shift hospital.

Disaster Coordinator at the hospital, Pius Benjamin, thanked the staff and members of the public for the quick evacuation of the patients.

“They ably assisted in taking most of the patients to Campus B and ensuring that they were comfortable as far as possible,” he said, adding that efforts had also been made to remove several pieces of equipment from the hospital.

Prime Minister King, accompanied by his Health Minister Dr. Keith Mondesir and the National Security Minister Guy Mayers, travelled to Vieux Fort, 45 miles south of here, and met with hospital officials.

“Clearly it is far too early to say much about the destruction that has taken place here regretfully, but all hands are on deck and we intend to do all in our power to get the hospital rebuilt and back in operation within the shortest period of time.

“I have had dialogue with members of the management at the scene of the fire and they have given me a situation analysis...,” he added.

Security guards said the fire spread quickly after they noticed an air condition unit ablaze at the hospital which is managed by the United States-based Mercy Hospital Medical Centre.

The facility, which is owned by the St. Lucia government, was until 1992, managed by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.

The hospital, which employs about 200 local staff, including 14 full-time physicians, provides high-quality primary care for persons mainly in the south of  the City of Castries. CMC

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