KUCHING: A fire and emergency drill was held at the KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital (KPJ Kuching) to test the preparedness of staff in the event of emergencies.
Its Chief Executive Officer for East Malaysia Region, Dr Kenny Yeap Kim Pet, said the drill involving 202 staff members also enhanced synergy between KPJ Kuching and the emergency response agency, Tabuan Jaya Fire and Rescue Station.
“Patient and staff safety remains our top priority, and quality care is the core value of this hospital,” he told Suara Sarawak after attending the 2025 Fire and Emergency Drill Programme on Wednesday (July 30).
According to him, staff from various departments including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Department (A&E), Security Unit, and Fire Committee were involved in the drill.
“Evacuating a large number of individuals in under 20 minutes is not an easy feat, but this exercise demonstrates our commitment to prioritising the safety of lives,” he said.
He hoped this initiative would serve as an example for more hospitals and private medical institutions to continue collaborating with rescue agencies to strengthen disaster management knowledge.
“Drills like this are essential so that we do not become complacent, as disasters can strike without warning. Awareness and preparedness are key in disaster management,” he added.
Meanwhile, KPJ Kuching General Manager, Nor Azlina Jemain, stated that the drill is an annual event conducted with different scenarios each year, but maintaining the same evacuation procedure.
“This year, we also collaborated with Malaysia Airports for an emergency simulation, specifically the Airport Disaster Response Drill, which allowed our staff to understand the hospital’s role in the event of an incident at the airport area,” she added.
She said that KPJ Kuching already has a written disaster management policy, but practical drills are crucial to ensure knowledge is not confined to theory alone.
“Such training enables us to respond faster and more accurately, as each situation is different and requires an appropriate evacuation approach,” she said.
Medical Officer Dr Nurul Sya’adah who participated in the drill for the first time, described it as a valuable experience.
