CCTVs for nurses hostels after rape case

Sun2Surf: KUALA LUMPUR: More closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) will be installed in Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) to beef up security following the rape of a nurse in her dormitory on Tuesday.
"Presently, 90% of the CCTVs have been installed in the hospital's main building. The rest will be up in the few days.
"Security surveillance will also be stepped up," said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon in Parliament lobby.
He said the rape is regrettable, and for it to happen to a health staff, but "maintaining security at the hospital is not easy".
"We have a 7,000 health workforce on duty at the hospital for 24 hours and some 10,000 vistors and patients daily.
"The hospital comprises many building blocks with many access roads. To enforce strict visitation restriction will mean the public will not have easy access ... there must be a balance," he added.
Lee said the ministry would extend assistance to the rape victim and co-operate with the police.
"With her testimony, we hope the culprit will be caught soon," he said, adding that new hospitals were already equipped with CCTVs whereas old establishments have yet to be upgraded.
"We are identifying areas that urgently require security installations," he said.
Lee said as part of efforts to improve security at health facilities nationwide, a comprehensive security system is currently being implemented and piloted at KLH.
"Apart from installing more CCTVs, surveillance will be further tightened in addition to the installation of security-coded door," said Lee, adding that the budget would be worked out soonest.
"We have to look at hospitals nationwide. We must do it one by one," he added.
Lee said security plans would cover not only hospital buildings but also nusring colleges, hostels, car parks and others on hospital grounds.
"Having CCTVs is just one aspect. We need more people for monitoring and more guards to check those walking in and out of hospitals," he said.