KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department will launch its first helicopter ambulance service, called Emergency Medical Air Rescue Services (Emars) on Saturday (April 15).
Director-general Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin said that Emars is the best start in efforts to ensure the delivery of services to every level of society, in line with the government's aspirations which emphasise the delivery of government agency services to the grassroots.
"Emars will be used to transfer victims from hospital to hospital and facilitate access to services for residents in rural areas, especially the Orang Asli community who are known to have difficulty using land routes.
"Therefore, for the implementation of Emars, the department has engaged with the Health Ministry and the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa), and has received good support,” he said when appearing as a guest on RTM's "Selamat Pagi Malaysia" programme on Friday (April 14).
He added that currently, the department has nine helicopters, consisting of Mil Mi-17, Agusta A109E, Agusta 139, and Agusta 189.
An Agusta A109E helicopter will be modified and equipped with initial medical facilities for patients, for the implementation of Emars.
Abdul Wahab said that Emars, the first of its kind in Malaysia, will be launched on Saturday by Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming at AEON Shah Alam. - Bernama
