PAPAR: Services at Papar Hospital resumed to normal yesterday, less than 24 hours after a fire broke out at the premises.
Deputy State Health director (edical) Datuk Dr. Abd Kahar Abd Asis said that the emergency department, which is closest to the area affected by the fire area, started operating immediately after clearance was received from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department.
"All services are running smoothly as usual, even our emergency department reopened at 10.30am after getting clearance from the Fire Department," he said.
On the supply of medicine, he said that a contingency plan had been prepared through meetings with the state pharmacy and hospitals to supply medication soon.
"Our hospital has a stock-flow that can last up to one week across all units or wards," he said.
Dr Abd Kahar said that the evacuation of 51 patients was successfully carried out to a safe area, with some patients sent to Beaufort Hospital and Likas Hospital, before being returned to their original wards.
"We congratulate all hospital staff who successfully evacuated 51 patients from the vicinity of the fire to a safer area.
"Yesterday, a critical patient requiring respiratory assistance was sent to Beaufort Hospital, three patients in labour were sent to Likas Hospital, while the remaining stable patients were moved to the maternity building, which is located away from the fire area and the Operating Theatre building.
"They stayed there overnight, and early this morning, we transferred them back to their original wards," he said.
The fire incident, affecting the pharmacy store and food service room due to extreme heat, occurred around 7pm on Monday and was brought under control by the Fire and Rescue Department about two hours later without any casualties.