Damage assessment, repairs underway after Seberang Jaya Hospital ceiling leaks

BUTTERWORTH: Damage assessments and repair work are underway at Seberang Jaya Hospital after torrential rain caused ceiling leaks in two blocks on Saturday.

The Penang Health Department said the hospital's engineering unit and building management concessionaire were conducting a comprehensive assessment and taking steps to contain the damage.

It assured the public that healthcare services remained unaffected, adding that no patients or medical equipment were endangered.

"Hospital personnel took prompt and appropriate action to manage affected patients and safeguard medical equipment at the relevant locations," it said in a Facebook statement.

The leaks followed an unusually heavy thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds between 5.45pm and 7pm, which caused rainwater to overflow at several locations in Block A (the old block) and Block B (the new block).

Most of the affected areas were in the older block.

The department said the Defects Liability Period for Block B ended on April 12 this year, with no unusual rainwater overflow reported during the warranty period.

Meanwhile, Permatang Pauh member of parliament Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan called on the Health Ministry to take immediate action, warning against waiting for a tragedy before addressing the problem.

He said the incident should not be dismissed as a weather-related issue and called for a comprehensive technical audit of the hospital's structural integrity, roofing and maintenance standards.

"The public deserves to know how such an incident could happen, particularly at a newly completed facility.

"The ministry must also provide clear details on the maintenance allocations and account for the parties tasked with keeping these facilities in optimal condition," he said.

Fawwaz also called on the Health Minister to explain the root cause and outline remedial measures, saying the safety of patients, healthcare staff and visitors must remain the priority.