Ipoh Hospital ceiling collapses

Part of the ceiling of the Dermatology Clinic at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital came crashing down this morning.

The incident which was discovered by a security guard occured at about 6am but no casualties were reported.

A total of 20 ceiling outside the clinic which is located on the first floor of the Specialist Clinic Complex.

According to state Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Public Transport and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, the ceiling could not support the weight of a PVC pipe containing telephone and ICT cables.

"The hospital had requested for the ceiling to be restored and repair works are expected to be completed this evening. The costs would be borne by the hospital and other areas will also be inspected to avoid a similar incident," Mah said.

The complex was completed in 1994 and has been providing specialist medical services for 18 years.

"Even though the complex is already 18 years old, the incident should not have happened," Mah said.

Meanwhile, a maintenance staff at the hospital who preferred to remain anonymous, said the PVC pipe should have been installed using the trunking system.

"This is because the system can accommodate more cables on large scale installation, or the contractor should have used a bracket to ensure that the ceiling does not have to fully support the pipe load," he told Bernama.