A fire which struck at around 07:05 hours today has crippled the operations of the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital and caused significant damaged to the building. Fortunately, the entire structure was not destroyed.

Approximately 32 patients, including four newborns, had to be swiftly evacuated from the premises.

They were taken to the Guyana Red Cross building in nearby Barrack Street and then subsequently transferred to other hospitals.

The health care institutions, both public and private, opened their doors on the request of the Health Minster Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

The Health Ministry also assisted in mobilising support and facilitated St. Joseph’s with much needed medical supplies from its supplies.