Authorities aware of problems at Ampang Hospital

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The problems in Ampang Hospital are in the process of being rectified, according to Selangor Health Director Datin Dr Ang Kim Teng.
Dr Ang said the authorities knew of the situation earlier and had submitted a report to the Health Ministry.
Following complaints from hospital staff and patients, The Star reported yesterday that parts of the ceiling of the building had collapsed and were not replaced.
Other problems included fungus-ridden ceilings and water leaking from the ceiling in the paediatric ward’s pantry.
Dr Ang, however, denied that the problems were in the wards but in the clinics instead, and added that the ceiling did not collapse.
She said the actual situation was that the ceiling in the waiting area of the paediatric clinic showed signs of dampness and fungus infestation.
“We were told that this is due to water condensation from uneven temperatures in the environment. At no time did the ceiling fall on anybody.
“JKR (the Public Works Department) and the developer are looking into the problems now,” she said.
However, according to some hospital employees who contacted The Star yesterday, there was an instance when faeces fell from the ceiling in Ward 4B of the hospital.
The hospital is among government projects that has faced various problems, including construction delays.
The building was supposed to be completed in 2004 but only opened last year.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is scheduled to visit the hospital tomorrow.
Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican did not want to comment while the hospital director could not be reached.