Diali Kaba’s mother woke her up Thursday morning with terrible news: A fire broke out in the hospital in the Senegalese town of Kaba, where Kaba’s two-week-old daughter was cared for, and 11 babies died.
The two women were rushed to the hospital together, and Kaba was allowed inside to find out if her daughter was among the victims, while her mother, Ndeye Absa Gueye, waited anxiously outside.
Gueye said he heard of the fire at the Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh hospital on Wednesday night, but did not immediately realize that it had occurred in the neonatal ward. The news reached him on Thursday and caused fear in his heart.
“My grandson is here, he’s been here for two weeks. I came to see if he’s one of them,” he said.
A few minutes later, Kaba came out in tears. Her baby was also among the dead. They both cried and embraced, until Kaba was put in a car and taken home in mourning.
About 120km east of Senegal’s capital, Dakar, Tivaouane is a busy road transport hub and holy city that regularly attracts large numbers of Muslim pilgrims from the West African country.
The city woke up Wednesday night to the shocking news of 11 infant deaths, confirmed by President Macky Sall.
“We all share this pain,” said Ousmane Kane. “(Mothers) suffered in the hope that their babies would survive. But we have to accept the will of God. He gave them babies and took them back. All Senegal is in mourning.”
source: Noticias
