KUALA LUMPUR: The Flying Doctor Service (FDS) will continue operations to maintain health coverage for remote communities despite a fatal crash in Sarawak, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed.
Addressing the incident, Dzulkefly said that the air outreach programme remains essential for providing universal health coverage in isolated regions, noting that medical evacuations cannot be delayed.
“There is a reason, and indeed a need, for these services to continue. One of the important things we need to achieve during this FDS service is to ensure universal health coverage,” he said.
He explained that the Health Ministry does not own aviation assets and relies on outsourced aircraft.
“We have assets such as boats and those for mobile clinics, but not helicopters,” Dzulkefly said.
The helicopter involved in the Sarawak crash was operated by Layang Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd, a private charter firm based in Kota Kinabalu.
Four medical personnel and a pilot were killed in the crash at Long Lellang STOLport airstrip.
Responding to queries regarding flight safety and weather conditions, Health director-general Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab clarified that flight clearances fall outside the ministry’s regulatory jurisdiction.
“For any aspect of aviation, certain safety procedures must be complied with before permission is granted to fly,” Dr Mahathar said, adding that relevant aviation authorities approved the flight in question.
Dr Mahathar also said there are two components to the FDS service, with the first being a scheduled service conducted monthly or every two months, depending on the needs in remote areas.
“Another component involves medical evacuations, or medical emergencies, for patients categorised as critical to receive treatment (medevac).
“From the Health Ministry’s perspective, where there is a need to transport critically ill patients under the medevac service, and where the flight is permitted to proceed with no weather-related issues or other obstacles, the flight should take place,” he said.
On demands for improved staff welfare, Dzulkefly acknowledged calls from several quarters to review the RM30 Air Health Service Incentive Payment allowance for FDS personnel.
He confirmed that a formal proposal to revise the rate was submitted to relevant authorities last November and remains under consideration.
