RM379m needed to improve fire safety in hospitals nationwide

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will require around RM379 million to improve fire safety in hospitals nationwide, its deputy minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said.
Hilmi, who is also Balik Pulau MP, said the cost would include upgrading works on 46 old hospitals that are above 50 years old.
The amount was made based on the fire safety audit initiated by the ministry last year following fire incidents in Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Baru, and Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh.
Hilmi said due to this, the ministry would need additional budget to allow for the upgrade to take place.
"It is hoped that the implementation of the upgrade works and compliance to the standard operating procedure on fire safety, incidents that had occurred in the two hospitals could be avoided and fire risks reduced to the minimal level," he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Rozman Isli (BN-Labuan) who asked on the outcome of the audit done on hospitals above 50 years old.
Hilmi added the outcome of the audit had identified various fire risks hospitals face, such as outdated fire prevention system, dilapidated electrical wiring system and installation of medical gas system that did not meet current standards.
He also pointed out that many old hospitals had medical gas pipe installed close to electrical components.
"If there are any sparks and gas leak occurring at the same time, it would result in a fire," he said, adding that the ministry is looking into the matter seriously.
"We have identified the problem and we will make improvements so gas pipes and wiring systems can be separated," he said.
"It will take some time and high cost and we hope that the Finance Ministry could give us the allocation to solve the issue," he added.