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JB hospital patients evacuated again after smoke scare

JOHOR BARU — Patients and staff at the Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) — the site of a deadly fire on Tuesday — were left feeling jittery after they were evacuated for the second time in less than 48 hours, this time because of smoke.

A patient being evacuated from Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru yesterday, after smoke was spotted at an operating theatre. Photo: The New Straits Times (Press) Malaysia

A patient being evacuated from Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru yesterday, after smoke was spotted at an operating theatre. Photo: The New Straits Times (Press) Malaysia

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JOHOR BARU — Patients and staff at the Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) — the site of a deadly fire on Tuesday — were left feeling jittery after they were evacuated for the second time in less than 48 hours, this time because of smoke.

The incident — which occurred a day after the fire that tore through the hospital’s intensive care unit, killing six patients and injuring 11 others — has led to questions on whether Johor’s biggest hospital is simply “too old”.

Yesterday, smoke was spotted at an operating theatre at 1.35pm, which led to staff and patients being evacuated from the hospital’s main building.

“While the cause of this (incident) has not been confirmed, it is suspected that the sockets became wet during the ‘post-fire’ cleaning process,” said Malaysia’s Health Minister, Dr S Subramaniam, in a statement.

He added that a thorough inspection of the electrical system and other related appliances in the West Block — where the smoke incident occurred — was being conducted.

“We will only use the block when it is certified safe after thorough inspection,” Dr Subramaniam said.

Johor Baru (South) OCPD Assistant Commander Sulaiman Salleh told reporters earlier that the smoke was caused by a spark, which was the result of water from cleaning works on the hospital’s second floor splashing onto an electrical plug on the first-floor operating theatre.

He said: “The spark caused smoke, but no one was injured due to the quick action of hospital staff.”

A staff member said there were no surgeries going on at the operating theatres yesterday, as they had been ordered to carry out all such procedures at other hospitals, following Tuesday’s fire. Certain sections of the hospital’s main building were shut down after the fire, as the authorities sought to establish the overall safety of the building.

Patients and doctors TODAY interviewed said yesterday that an overhaul was needed for the ageing hospital, which was established in 1882. The iconic red-bricked building — where the incidents took place — was built between 1938 and 1941.

“Every single day I come to work feeling that the building is too old,” said Dr Khalis Safiq, 25, who has worked for a year at the hospital.

“Something is wrong with the wiring system. They should overhaul that,” he added.

Describing staff morale as low, Dr Shafiq said they were seeking closure after Tuesday’s deaths when the smoke incident occurred.

Madam Tan Mei Yong, who was at the hospital yesterday to schedule a new appointment for her husband, said: “They (the authorities) should shut the whole hospital down and renovate it once and for all.”

Her husband, Mr Heng Kun Sen, is still suffering from head injuries after a motorcycle accident at Choa Chu Kang in Singapore last year. He used to work as a bus driver with SBS Transit.

Mdm Tan, 44, said they went to the hospital because it was known for its expertise on “more complicated cases”. But following this week’s incidents, its reliability has come into question, said Mdm Tan, whose family lives in Johor.

Kidney patient Zarimah Harun, who is warded in the hospital, summed up her feelings in one word: “Scared.”

“If the hospital allows for a free transfer to another hospital, I would jump at the chance. But there is no alternative for me now because I have started my kidney treatment here four days ago,” said the 40-year-old.

“If there is a new building, there can be more facilities ... The (existing) building feels like it is on the brink of collapse,” said the Pontian resident who has been visiting the hospital for the past six years.

Mr Loke Zhong Sam was glad that his father was discharged yesterday — three days earlier than expected. His father was warded two weeks ago after a car accident.

“Some blocks are closed, so I think they are trying to discharge as many patients as possible,” said Mr Loke, 29.

“I must say that it feels comforting that my father is no longer staying at the hospital. Too many things have happened,” he added.

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