The short circuit incident in Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh last night was an "isolated incident", said Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam.

He said this when asked on the frequency of short circuit incidents at public hospitals.

Last month, six people died in a fire at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Johor Bahru while a short circuit the following day injured three personnel.

"They are isolated incidents. They happened in different places so they are not connected to one another," Subramaniam told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

"But some might have the same reasons, some might have different reasons, so as I announced, we are going to audit at all hospitals...to look at all our facilities and reduce such incidents as much as possible.

"We have been doing it before, but we are going to triple our efforts now to make sure those (incidents) won't happen."

The Ipoh Hospital ward was evacuated after sparks were spotted coming out from one of the sockets behind a bed there at about 11.16pm, Bernama reported. There were no injuries.

Subramaniam said the source of the sparks is under investigation.

Fire Department briefing on HSA fire this week

The investigation on the HSA fire is also ongoing, with the main block closed pending the probe.

The Health Minister also refuted claims that only the electrical sockets at HSA will be replaced and that the building will not be rewired.

"No, wait for our statement. You cannot listen to rumours. I have not received (the briefing) from the Fire Department. It is supposed to be this week," he said.

Malaysiakini understands that electrical sparks in the treatment room next to the intensive car unit (ICU) led to the HSA fire.

Personnel were unable to contain the spark from turning into flames, which soon engulfed the unit.

One patient and 10 staff were also injured in the incident.