Fire outbreak at Sultanah Aminah Hospital a lesson to learn - Dr Jerip

He said the fire outbreak at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru should be an eye opener and an example of constant vigilance to ensure facilities and equipment in hospitals are in tip top condition.

"All hospitals in Sarawak are told to be on high alert to ensure that whatever facilities the hospital have, for example, the oxygen outlets and electrical points are constantly monitored to avoid any mishap.

"We are also looking at the facilities available, particularly in our intensive care unit, in our operation theatre and even in our accident and emergency department to ensure that all of these departments which have high risk equipment that can cause hazard are safe to be used," he said.

Jerip, who is Mambong assemblyman, said this to reporters after he officiated at the graduation day of the Community Development Department (Kemas) kindergartens and nurseries in Mambong constituency here today.

According to Jerip, upgrading of facilities in hospitals in Sarawak was being constantly carried out according to the amount of funds available.

Touching on the readiness and capabilities of hospitals in the state to deal with any eventualities, Jerip said the Sarawak General Hospital held a major exercise (fire drill) with the Kuching International Airport and Fire and Rescue Department for that purpose here today.