R67 million allocated for Paarl Hospital's recovery after fire incident
Paarl Hospital is being rebuilt after a fire, with R67 million allocated for repairs, upgrades and equipment replacement.
Image: Armand Hough
The Western Cape Government has allocated R67 million to rebuild and strengthen Paarl Hospital following a recent fire, with the funding confirmed in last week’s provincial budget.
The allocation will be used to repair damaged infrastructure, replace essential equipment and upgrade key areas of the facility, including the Outpatient Department (OPD), as part of efforts to restore services and improve long-term resilience.
The funding forms part of “unforeseen and unavoidable” allocations in the provincial health budget, earmarked for damage repairs and the replacement of essential equipment following the fire.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger said the response to the fire demonstrated the adaptability of the province’s healthcare system.
“While the fire caused real disruption, what we have seen in the weeks since is a system that has adapted quickly to continue delivering care. Our teams have worked around the clock to restore services, support patients, and rebuild critical infrastructure.
“This R67 million investment is not only about repairing what was damaged. It is about building back stronger, ensuring that Paarl Hospital can continue to serve its community safely and reliably for years to come.”
Work to restore the OPD has progressed rapidly over the past month. The damaged roof structure was removed shortly after the fire and has since been fully rebuilt, with interior restoration now under way.
Additional areas, including waiting spaces and reception areas, are also being repaired and upgraded as part of the broader recovery effort.
Despite the damage, all services at the hospital remain operational, with some temporarily relocated within the facility to ensure continuity of care.
Services that were briefly unavailable after the fire, including audiology, the kiosk and the Department of Home Affairs, have since been restored.
Patients are currently received in a temporary ground-floor waiting area and guided by staff to the appropriate service points, with alternative access arrangements in place for those with mobility challenges.
Limited lift availability remains a challenge, but staff are managing patient movement to minimise disruption.
Head of Department for Health and Wellness Dr Keith Cloete said maintaining access to care had been the priority while repairs were accelerated.
“Our priority from day one has been to ensure that patients continue to receive the care they need without interruption. At the same time, we have moved quickly to stabilise the facility and began rebuilding. The rapid progress is a testament to the dedication of our teams and the resilience of our systems to respond under pressure.”
The investment comes as the Western Cape continues to prioritise health infrastructure amid growing demand, with Paarl Hospital serving a growing Drakenstein population.
Recovery work at the hospital is expected to continue over the coming months.