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The firefighters were called at 9.50 am today, while a cloud of smoke flooded the building 1 of the HFB (Federal Hospital of Bonsucesso), in the north of Rio. Expressions like “loss of control” and “despair” were used by employees and family members. to describe the moments when they tried to save the 162 patients taken from the health center.
Two women, 42 and 83 years old, who were hospitalized in serious condition for covid-19, did not resist the transfer and died. The death of a third patient was reported around 9:50 pm. The cause of the fire, controlled in 40 minutes, is investigated by the Federal Police. At least since 2019, the HFB was aware of the fire risks: the DPU (Public Defender) reported that two transformers were operating with overheating, lack of electrical system structure and inoperative hydrants.
In the midst of the new coronavirus pandemic, the hospital, the most important of the federal health network in the state, received fewer resources compared to previous years. Under President Jair Bolsonaro (no party), the federal government reduced the budget of the HFB before the last year of the government of Michel Temer (MDB). Wanted, the Ministry of Health has not yet come forward.
Electrical problems have been known since at least 2005. “Last year, the Fire Department made a report that [apontou que] We were practically sitting on top of a bomb, a powder keg, ”reported Júlio Noronha, director of HFB’s clinical staff.
The Fire Department reported that the health center does not have a certificate of approval from the corporation. “The unit has two notifications and two notices of violation. But it is very difficult, almost impossible for us to intercept a 600-bed hospital in the middle of a health crisis,” said Civil Defense Secretary Colonel Leandro Monteiro.
Despair during elimination
Authorities reported moments of tension and despair amid the smoke that engulfed one of the unit’s buildings.
The 162 patients in Building 1 were hastily transferred; some of them were housed in the HFB parking lot, while at least 30 were taken to a mechanical workshop. They were then transferred to Building 2 and other health facilities.
Núbia da Silva Rodrigues, 42, suffered a cardiac arrest during the transfer between the hospital buildings (she was intubated). The 83-year-old victim, whose identity was not disclosed, was transferred from the CTI in Building 1 to the maternity ward but passed away.
It was very desperate, but we had to keep calm for the patients there. There was an hour when we lost control, because there were many hospitalized patients. We need to put a paper on his shirt so we can know who was who
Nurse who asked not to be identified
The nursing technician, Tassiana Freitas, 30, said that shortly after the evacuation he did not know where some patients had been taken. “There are patients who do not know where they are. They are lost and we are looking for them, because we all left together. We did not have the resources.”
In turn, when they learned of the fire, relatives of the patients rushed to the hospital. Student’s uncle Ketlyn Oliveira, 27, who has cancer, was located in the mechanical workshop.
We have to take it first for fish [oficina] to get out of the smoke. We were at home when we heard about the fire. Now it’s okay, it’s better. Did not inhale much smoke
Ketlyn Oliveira, niece of a patient
“I was in a room and we saw smoke in the building next door. I thought it was nothing, but then there was a rush,” said self-employed Sandro Salustiano, 46, whose father is hospitalized.
Eight months pregnant, 19-year-old student Josiane Farias was admitted for exams in the neonatal area when they began to ask them to leave the hospital.
It was worse to see the small children inside, the doctors had to take them all out, there was no smoke where we were, but it was horrible. I was so scared, I never thought of going through this
Josiane Farias, student
“My niece is five months pregnant and came for an examination at the hospital. She was sheltered in the chapel and could not hear any news. She was very nervous, especially about the baby, but now she is fine and nothing worse has happened” said Roberta Gomes, a hospital employee.
Early in the evening, the fire department recommended as a precaution the removal of all patients from the two HFB buildings.
In total, the hospital has 289 patients, 143 have already left the unit and 146, including babies, are expected to be transferred to various hospitals. The operation should last until the early hours.
Unknown cause
The fire hit the infirmary and the X-ray equipment. The Fire Department indicated that it will only be able to determine the motive after an investigation by the Federal Police.
Witnesses and Lt. Col. Lauro Botto, a spokesman for the Fire Department, said the problem was initially noticed in the warehouse, where there are many diapers stored, which would have contributed to the increase in the fire.
“As far as we know, the fire originated in the basement, where there is a stock of diapers, but this needs to be properly assessed by experts,” Botto said.
