Fire Destroys Children’s Ward at Saboba Assemblies of God Hospital; Six Young Patients Safely Evacuated
A devastating fire outbreak on Saturday, February 21, 2026, completely gutted the children’s ward of the Saboba Assemblies of God Hospital in the Northern Region, forcing the emergency evacuation of six paediatric patients and causing extensive damage to the facility.
According to the hospital’s Nurse Manager, George Olannba, the blaze reportedly began at the entrance of the children’s ward and spread rapidly through the structure due to the speed and intensity of the flames. Staff and responders had limited time to salvage medical equipment, supplies, or records before the ward was fully engulfed.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was promptly alerted and deployed personnel to the scene. Initial firefighting efforts faced challenges due to equipment limitations, but with the urgent assistance of hospital staff, community members, and local residents who joined the response, the fire was eventually brought under control. Crucially, the blaze was prevented from spreading to adjacent wards, averting a larger catastrophe.
At the time of the incident, six children were receiving treatment in the affected ward. All were safely evacuated without injury and have been relocated to another functional ward within the hospital, where they continue to receive necessary medical care. No casualties or injuries were reported among patients, staff, or responders.
The destruction of the children’s ward has severely disrupted paediatric services at the facility, which serves a largely rural population in the Saboba District and surrounding areas. Hospital authorities are now assessing the full extent of the damage, estimating losses to infrastructure, medical supplies, beds, and essential equipment.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Ghana National Fire Service. Preliminary reports have not ruled out electrical faults, a common trigger in older or under-maintained structures, though no official determination has been made.
The Assemblies of God Hospital, a key faith-based healthcare provider in the region, has appealed for urgent support from government, NGOs, philanthropists, and the public to help rebuild the ward and restore full paediatric services as quickly as possible. Hospital management emphasized that the swift community response played a critical role in containing the fire and ensuring patient safety.
The Northern Regional Health Directorate and relevant authorities have been notified, and assessments are underway to determine interim arrangements for affected children and to prevent similar incidents at other health facilities
