Senator seeks probe into major leaks at new hospital block

 Dr RA Lingeshwaran says the health ministry should probe how the new block at Seberang Jaya Hospital could suffer such extensive leakage and water overflow.

Staff at Seberang Jaya Hospital using an umbrella to walk through one of the hospital’s corridors during the heavy rain on Nov 7.

PETALING JAYA:

A senator has called for a thorough probe into the recent major leakage and water overflow at the new block of Seberang Jaya Hospital, which was handed over to the health ministry only a year ago.

Dr RA Lingeshwaran said there were leaks in many parts of Block B after heavy rain at the hospital last Saturday. “This is a serious matter as a new building is supposed to withstand any amount of rainfall or inclement weather. But as we have seen in viral clips, the medical staff were seen walking in a corridor with an umbrella.

“How could such a thing happen to a new hospital building which should have been built according to strict safety and engineering standards?” he said in a statement.

Lingeshwaran said the new block’s defect liability period ended on April 12, which meant the ministry would have to foot the bill to repair the damage. He said the probe should focus on whether the incident stemmed from weaknesses in design, engineering, construction quality and the drainage system.

“There is no guarantee that a similar incident will not recur, affecting wards, medical equipment, electrical supply or critical care areas. The ministry must act fast to find out what caused the incident and assess the damage it caused,” he said.

Lingeshwaran urged the national audit department and Public Accounts Committee to audit the entire project to ascertain whether there was negligence or a failure to comply with specifications.

What the hospital said

When contacted, a ministry spokesman forwarded a statement on the matter by the Penang health department, confirming that the hospital experienced major leaks from ceilings and unusual rainwater overflow at several locations, affecting both the new Block B and the old Block A.

“On Nov 7, between 5.45pm and 7pm, unusually heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds occurred at the hospital. However, the incident did not compromise the safety of patients or medical equipment. The hospital personnel took appropriate measures to manage patients and protect medical equipment in the affected areas,” it said.

The department said no similar incidents of unusual rainwater overflow had been reported before Nov 7.

It said the hospital’s engineering unit and the support services concession contractor are currently assessing the extent of the damage and implementing appropriate control and remedial measures to address the situation. - FMT