Paarl Hospital Outpatient Department officially reopens months after devastating fire
The Western Cape Government has officially reopened the Paarl Hospital Outpatient Department (OPD) following the completion of major restoration work just months after a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the facility.
The fire on 27 January 2026 required the evacuation of approximately 750 people, including patients, staff and visitors and caused significant structural damages to the OPD with further smoke-related damages up to the 3rd floor of the Hospital. Despite the disruption, Paarl Hospital remained functional with only minor service delivery disruption, mainly contained to outpatient services, ensuring that patients continued to receive care.
The R67 million service restoration project was initially expected to take up to 12 months. Through accelerated planning and close collaboration between hospital management, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ internal infrastructure and clinical engineering teams, contractors and healthcare workers, major work was completed in half the expected time with the last specialist services moving into the repaired OPD in early July.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger said the reopening demonstrated what could be achieved when government and communities worked together. “From the fire and emergency services who responded that day, to the healthcare workers who safely evacuated patients and continued delivering care, everyone pulled together when it mattered most.”
Minister Wenger thanked the hospital staff and management, the Department’s infrastructure and clinical engineering teams, Drakenstein Municipality, Paarl Fire Department, local media and community radio stations for assisting with the emergency response and keeping residents informed as services were relocated within the hospital.
Chief Executive Officer of Paarl Hospital, Francois van der Watt said, “We are so thankful for the decisive system leadership during and after the fire, all of them helped us to significantly shortened recovery time and reduce the serious clinical and reputational risk associated with such a major event.”
“The reopening of this Outpatient Department belongs to every person who contributed to the recovery. Paarl showed its greatness in a moment of crisis, and this restored facility is a lasting reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together,” Minister Wenger concluded.
Media Enquiries:
Robyn Thomson
Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness
Email: robyn.thomson@westerncape.gov.za