Health chief says Hospital Authority to investigate alleged use of substandard construction materials at Kwong Wah Hospital

Hong Kong’s health chief said on Thursday that the Hospital Authority will conduct an investigation over allegations that substandard materials - specifically lower-grade cable trunking coating materials, were used in the Kwong Wah Hospital redevelopment project.

Sources said, materials testing expert Eric Lim Chaw-hyon will be hired as an independent third-party expert to lead the investigation. Lim had previously been hired by authorities to handle the investigations of the Mirror concert mishap last year, and the surgical light collapse at United Christian Hospital in February this year.

Speaking to the press this morning, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the Hospital Authority will, according to the established mechanism, investigate whether the relevant materials meet the standards specified in the contract with the construction firms.

Lo mentioned that on-site inspections can serve as one of the references, but environmental factors may also affect the parameters and prevent them from being the ultimate indicators as to whether substandard materials were used.

He said authorities have already engaged third-party experts to sample and conduct laboratory tests to determine if the coating materials were up to standard.

Lo stressed the coating of cable trunking is mainly used for rust prevention, which
does not affect building structural, patient, or staff safety

Meanwhile, the health chief said the coating materials were with certificates when being shipped to the works site.

If the materials from the providers are found to be inconsistent with the standards stipulated in the contract, authorities will handle the incident according to the contract agreement, whereas police will be involved if fraud is suspected, said Lo.