Safety checks at HSA's west block to complete in 3 weeks - Dr Subramaniam

He said the inspections, which were carried out by the ministry's Engineering Division, began this week.

"They have appointed several private consultants and are conducting checks on the safety level of the block in terms of electrical (wiring), biological gas, electrical equipment and structural safety.

"I was informed that they might take two to three weeks to finalise the checks before submitting a report to the ministry," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here Thursday.

The minister said safety report would determine whether the building could still be occupied, or needed renovation or restoration works.

Dr Subramaniam said this when asked on the development of investigation into the fire that broke out at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital on Oct 25, and a short circuit incident that triggered sparks and smoke in the operating theater of the same block the following day.

He said that the ministry had yet to receive investigation report from the Fire and Rescue Department on the fire at the ICU, which was supposed to be ready two weeks after the incident.

"After determining the cause of fire, they (Fire Department) will submit the investigation report to the ministry and (from there) we will look at the damage and the cost of repair.

"We don't want to give pressure to them. Instead, we give space and time for them to complete the investigations," Dr Subramaniam explained.