Suits by families of 2016 Johor hospital fire victims to be heard Nov 3

KUALA LUMPUR – The families of three people who died in a fire at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru in 2016 will have their cases heard at the high court on November 3.
 
Among them are Krishnasamy Kuppusamy and Nagesvari Kayamboo, the parents of victim Logeswaran Krishnasamy, who was 20 when he died in the incident that altogether claimed the lives of six patients.
 
The hospital director, Johor Health Department director, health director-general, and federal government are named as the defendants.
 
“The deceased (Logeswaran) was involved in an accident and warded at Sultanah Aminah Hospital’s intensive care unit for treatment, and was on ventilator support on October 25, 2016, when a fire occurred, causing his death.
 
“At 9am, a fire occurred at the ICU, and because of the negligence of the defendants, the deceased was not removed from the ward or rescued in time, causing his death,” read the statement of claim filed in September last year.
 
The plaintiffs said the defendants failed to ensure their staff had the knowledge and expertise to face such an emergency, adding that they also failed to ensure the premises had fire-safety protocols in place.
 
“(The defendants) failed to ensure their staff at the ICU were trained with fire drills or emergency evacuations, although the fire occurred on October 25, 2016,” it said, adding that fire incidents had occurred previously, in 2009, 2010 and May 2016.
 
The statement said Logeswaran had been working since he was 18, earning RM4,000 a month and contributing RM1,500 to his parents. Additionally, his parents said RM36,540 was spent to cover costs related to his death.
 
The defendants have denied liability, saying staff at the hospital’s ICU consistently prioritise patient safety.
 
They added that all hospital employees are constantly trained to face any emergency situation.
 
“All officers and staff at Sultanah Aminah Hospital are both experienced and qualified,” read the statement of defence filed on November 4 last year.
 
“The hospital also conducts inspections and the maintenance of wiring and building structures, according to the standard operating procedures set by the Health Ministry and local councils.
 
“Additionally, the hospital provides sufficient evacuation plans, and all rescue efforts were conducted swiftly at an optimum level, as expected by the Health Ministry and other agencies.” 
 
Two other suits have also been filed against the government by the families of other victims of the fire.
 
Along with Logeswaran’s parents, the families of Choo Lin Fong and Kaliama Muniandy have sued the government at the Johor Baru High Court, and will have their cases heard together on November 3.
 
Last year, the government settled for RM136,000 a suit filed by the parents of Neeramaladevi Chandran, who also died in the fire. – The Vibes, October 7, 2021