PUTATAN: The collapse of Klinik Kesihatan Putatan’s ceiling here on Monday was caused by the weight of heavy electrical cables, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said.
The damage has since been mended, and the cables repositioned, he added.
"The damaged ceiling has been repaired, and the electrical cables have been hanged, instead of just being allowed to rest on the ceiling, as before," he told reporters after inspecting the ceiling of the clinic's pharmacy’s waiting hall this morning.
Present were Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) director Datuk Amrullah Kamal and Sabah Health Department assistant director (family health development) Dr Asitis Sanna.
Yahya, who is also the state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, reminded all governmental departments and agencies to regularly inspect their respective buildings.
"Each building has its maintenance and engineering unit. They need to be aware of what's happening in their own building.
"Incidents such as a ceiling collapse can occur anywhere if (a building) is not inspected on a regular basis," he said.
Meanwhile, Amrullah said that the maintenance and management unit of a department or agency is fully responsible in ensuring that a building is safe; and to conduct immediate repairs on any damage to a building’s structure or its facilities.
"The PWD will only intervene if a case involves large-scale damage," he said.
The ceiling of the clinic collapsed at about noon on Monday, but no one was injured. Repair works were carried out on the same day.
The clinic has 90 staff members, including two specialist doctors and 18 medical assistants. About 500 patients seek medical treatment at the clinic daily.