Hospital’s new block experiences roof leakage amid downpour

MIRI: Less than a month after the RM289.2 million hospital block (Block B) here was officially handed over by the Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Health, the building suffered a roof leak during heavy rain on Saturday night.

The official handover of the new block, which took place on July 1, was witnessed by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Deputy Minister of Health Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Public Works Department director-general Roslan Ismail, Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah, and Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong.

A video showing water pouring from the ceiling(from a section of the block), resembling a small fountain, was posted on social media on Saturday night and quickly went viral, sparking public concern over the structural integrity of the newly completed facility.

The leak resulted in water accumulating in the affected area, raising questions about the quality of the construction.

The new block, which began construction in 2020, was built using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) technology, incorporating materials such as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, precast beams, and precast slabs.