Latest update April 28th, 2026 12:30 AM
$$M in damage after fire at Ophthalmology Hospital
– facility closed
By Leon Suseran
The explosion of a Nitrous Oxide gas cylinder as a result of an early-morning electrical fire resulted in massive damage at the Laser Room of the National Ophthalmology Hospital (NOH) at Port Mourant, Corentyne. Completely destroyed is a multi-million-dollar piece of equipment which performs cataract laser surgeries.
The National Ophthalmology Hospital
Up to late yesterday afternoon, a team from Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM) was working feverishly to secure the remaining gas cylinders in the building, so as to prevent any other such occurrence.
The eye-care facility is currently shut down until further notice.
Regional Chairman of Region Six, Mr. David Armogan and Vice-Chairman, Bhupaul Jhagroo; Doctor-in-Charge of the Port Mourant Hospital, Dr. Vinashri Khirodar; Public Relations Officer of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), Mr. Michael Itwaru, a team from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Cuban Medical Brigade were at the site gathering information and trying to get a better understanding about the fire which reportedly originated from an electrical circuit at the facility, around 05:30 hrs. The entire laser room was engulfed as fire tenders from the Rose Hall Town Fire Station arrived on the scene.
According to reliable reports, the security guards noticed sparks from electrical transformers in the compound sometime after 04:00hrs and raised an alarm to Dr. Khirodhar, who immediately telephoned the Guyana Power & Light Inc (GPL) to disconnect the electricity and the individual who answered, “said that he would not start working until 07:00 hrs.”
“Had he responded promptly, power could have been cut from the building,” the source stated.
According to the reliable source, “This (yesterday) morning at 4 o’clock, they had a problem with the transformer at the back and the porter called us to inform— GPL was informed and they came until seven… they switched the power off.”
The source stated that some of the equipment were “burnt to some extent.” The fire, they stated, was contained…”and we are currently assessing the damage.” The source went on to say that the cost for such equipment is, “very, very expensive, one of the more complex laser equipment and very vital to the functioning of the facility and services offered.”
Since the NOH falls under the direct purview of the Ministry of Health, all queries and questions into the incident were directed to Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran. Speaking from Parliament yesterday, Dr. Ramsaran stated that his Ministry was notified about the incident and teams from the Cuban Medical Brigade and MoH were dispatched immediately to Berbice. They are in the process of assessing the extent of the damage. He would not comment further.
Kaieteur News understands that all surgeries have been put on hold because the facility “has been contaminated.”
Investigations into the fire have begun and a massive cleanup exercise is expected to commence today, “and hopefully by Monday or Tuesday we will go back to doing surgeries, minus this equipment,” the source revealed.
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