Health Minister, Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said his Ministry had issued out directives to all hospitals to prepare and carry out table top exercises to ensure all clinical and non-clinical staff would know what to do in case of any emergency.

"The Ministry had recently conducted a workshop to update and draft out disaster action plans for hospitals to ensure that all their plans were in accordance with the current needs," he added.

Chua was answering questions posed by Bintulu Member of Parliament, Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing at the current parliamentary sitting.

Tiong had asked the Minister on the measures taken to rescue patients particularly during fire emergency.

To another Tiong's question on safety features in hospital building designs, Chua said the Ministry would monitor the every building development stages with special emphasis on safety of patients and hsopital staff.

"The ministry had always ensure that safety factors were given the priorities in designing and development of all hospital premises, health and rural clinics," he added.

The safety factors, he added, would have to be in line with the regulations imposed by the local authorities and the Fire and Rescue Service Department.