Task force mobilised to oversee repairs after fire at Johor hospital
JOHOR BARU: A task force comprising three directors from different agencies have been formed to oversee repairs of a ward damaged in a fire at the Hospital Sultanah Aminah here.
The directors are from the state health department, public works department and fire and rescue department.
Johor Fire director Datuk Yahya Madis confirmed the formation of the task force which held its maiden meeting on Tuesday.
“This team was formed as Johor
Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar expressed concern about the fire and will be funding the cost to repair the affected building,” he said.
Asked about their investigation, he replied that at least 10 samples were taken to ascertain the cause of the fire on Sunday.
“As the fire was not widespread, we have released the building back to the health department for them to carry out repair works since Monday,” he said, adding that the losses due to the fire has not been determined.
Yahya added that the fire department would inspect the building again before it is used to house patients.
Asked about the duration of the repairs, he said that it was under the purview of the Public Works Department.
On whether the building will require sprinklers, he said it was a single storey building and did not require sprinklers, but adequate fire safety equipment including fire alarms and extinguishers were mandatory.
On Sunday, a fire broke out at the hospital’s Women Medical Ward 1, where 24 patients were warded. There were no casualties.
On Oct 25, 2016, a major fire occurred at the same hospital, killing six patients.
Sultan Ibrahim had come forward and offered to help repair the affected building.
The cost of repairs will be borne by his foundation (Sultan Ibrahim of Johor Foundation).
The Sultan Ibrahim of Johor Foundation (SIJF) is an organisation involved in various charity programmes and initiatives.
Meanwhile Johor MCA government coordinating affairs chairman Michael Tay who has been part of HSA’s hospital visitor’s board for 15 years said that the wiring in the hospital needed to be changed as it was too old.
“This hospital is more than 100 years old. There are many issues that need to be fixed.
“We should also forms volunteer teams with the fire department to carry out checks on wires which are exposed near oxygen tanks or flammable materials such as curtains,” he said, adding that this should be done every three months.
Tay added that more extinguishers should be supplied to the hospital and all doctors, nurses and hospital staff should have the basic training on how to use a fire extinguisher.