KUCHING: The Flying Doctor Service (FDS) team involved in the helicopter crash near Long Lellang on Tuesday (Sept 8) afternoon plays a vital role in bringing healthcare to the remote communities of Sarawak.
Started in 1973 for Sarawak, the FDS provides medicines and vaccines through regular visits, as well as medical evacuation missions for critically ill patients, according to the Health Ministry.
On April 8 this year, Sarawak Health director Dr Veronica Lugah had said that the FDS in the state would be further strengthened to ensure residents in remote areas have access to quality healthcare services.
She said there were currently 97 localities requiring FDS services, covering remote areas in Kapit, Miri and Limbang, most of which remained difficult to access and were far from adequate road networks
“Currently, visits to remote areas take place once a month, although for some locations, we conduct them once every two months, depending on our operational capacity,” she said.
“Despite logistical challenges, this service remains uninterrupted and will continue, as it is vital to residents in these remote areas.”
Dr Veronica said the FDS deployed a comprehensive medical team comprising a doctor, nurses and an assistant medical officer to ensure patients received holistic care.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), in a statement, said that a BO-105 helicopter carrying five people, including the pilot, had crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport), about 929km from Kuching.
According to CAAM, the helicopter was conducting an FDS mission when the incident occurred.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the helicopter departed from Miri, and besides the pilot, those onboard were a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses on duty.
He said the status of those involved and the cause of the incident had yet to be confirmed, adding that search and rescue (SAR) operations involving medical personnel and the Fire and Rescue Department were underway. - Bernama
