In a new tragedy that shook the hospital sector in Iraq, a fire engulfed a maternity hospital in Diwaniya in the south of the country. A "short circuit" ignited a fire at the Women's and Children's Hospital, one of the two main government hospitals in Diwaniya, last Monday evening, resulting in the deaths of at least four infants and the injury of about 20 others due to asphyxiation, according to the Red Crescent. The fire touched one of the hospital's walls but did not cause significant damage.
Health Minister Saleh Al-Hasnawi clarified during a press conference from the hospital yesterday that "the fire occurred outside the hospital halls" amid "debris including paper and other materials from a company working on refurbishing the hospital." He added that this led to "smoke infiltrating the hospital, but the flames did not penetrate" it. He mentioned that staff members "evacuated the patients," especially the newborns and "preterm infants whose conditions were critical," adding that "four infants died from respiratory-related issues."
For its part, the Red Crescent announced that "150 children and 190 accompanying individuals" were evacuated from the hospital following the fire. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia' Al-Sudani ordered the "removal of negligent officials in the incident and the referral of the company responsible for the hospital's refurbishment to investigation."
Safety regulations are often not adhered to in Iraq, particularly in the construction and transportation sectors. Additionally, the country's infrastructure is crumbling due to decades of conflict, frequently leading to fires and other deadly disasters.
