JB hospital fire: Wards needed for evacuated patients

BANDUNG: Alternative warding needs to be arranged for patients who were evacuated following the fire at Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru Tuesday morning, says a state exco member.

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat (pic) expressed his sympathy over the loss of six lives due to the fire, and said the needs of evacuated patients were the immediate priority.

"We will let Bomba and the police investigate the cause of the fire and we are looking into ways to accommodate the evacuated victims, as even (the nearby) Hospital Sultan Ismail is crowded with patients.

"Our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. We will extend our help to them in whatever way possible," said Ayub, who is attending the fifth annual Low Carbon Asia Research Network (Locarnet) meet here.

He also asked private hospitals to open their doors to victims, especially those in critical condition and women in labour.

The Fire and Rescue Department had earlier confirmed that the fire had affected the Intensive Care Unit and six victims had died due to the incident.