KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 ― The Health Ministry has found no evidence to support banning mobile phones from intensive and cardiac care units or operation theatres at government hospitals.

Health deputy director-general Datuk Dr S. Jeyaindran said there was no reason to introduce such a rule as there was no compelling data to suggest that cellular signals from such devices interfered with medical equipment.

"[Most] studies worldwide have shown no problem of using handphones in ICU, CCU or operation theatres.

"But the general consensus in Malaysia is that we can use our handphones, but don't bring them close to patients,” he told Malay Mail Online.

Mobile phones were an indispensable tool for everyone including doctors these days, Dr Jeyaindran said before adding that a ruling will only be introduced if necessary.

"Like the Samsung Note 7... who knew it would explode, right? So if there is a study that shows handphones cause interference in medical equipment then the MOH will enforce a rule,” he added.

The contentious topic has re-emerged following a fire at the Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Baru that killed six intensive care patients on Tuesday.

Alarms were again triggered at the hospital yesterday after smoke was detected there around 1.45pm.

According to news portal The Star Online, yesterday’s fire started from an operation theatre located on the first floor of the building.

On Tuesday, fire had broken out at the hospital around 9am. National news agency Bernama cited the senior policeman saying 294 patients and 193 hospital staff in the building were affected.