César Cals Hospital Closes Indefinitely After Power-Substation Fire in Fortaleza

Overview

• Sesa said the transfer operation is complete, with patients distributed to state and municipal units including the HUC, Hospital da Mulher, Albert Sabin, Waldemar Alcântara, Messejana and the Gonzaga Mota hospitals.
• Outpatient consultations and exams will be rescheduled, with Sesa contacting patients by official phone numbers and a guidance team stationed at the hospital’s annex to assist in person.
• Officials reported the blaze began in an external power substation, produced heavy smoke, did not reach assistential areas, and caused no injuries.
• Enel Ceará installed five generators for the neonatal ICU and prepared additional large units to support other wings during the reconfiguration.
• Hospital staff and nearby merchants at the Beco da Poeira helped evacuate patients and equipment, and one cesarean was completed using lanterns during repeated power outages.