KUALA LUMPUR: Psychosocial support is being provided to the families of the five victims of the helicopter crash in Ulu Baram, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
“We, from the Health Ministry, are currently focusing our attention on the families and next-of-kin of the victims.
“I urge everyone to ensure that the trauma and tragedy they have experienced are addressed appropriately from a psychological perspective,” he said during a press conference at Putrajaya on the incident yesterday.
Dzulkelfy said a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team has been mobilised to support family members by providing psychological first aid and ongoing emotional support.
“This support is also being extended to the FDS team itself to help them cope with the post-traumatic impact of this incident,” he said, adding that financial assistance will also be channelled to the families of the victims.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak government will give RM100,000 to each of the families of the four medical personnel as well as the pilot who perished in Tuesday’s Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash at Long Lellang, which is more than 300km away from Miri.
In addition to the financial assistance, Sarawak will fully cover the education fees of the victims’ children who are still attending school.
In a statement yesterday, the Sarawak government said the education assistance will be channelled via its education arm, Yayasan Sarawak.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg backs the assistance, with the state government “standing with the bereaved families and next of kin”.
The medical personnel who died in the 3.58pm incident Tuesday were a female doctor, two female staff nurses and a male assistant medical officer.
The statement described them as “personnel carrying out a noble and vital responsibility, bringing healthcare services to communities in remote areas that are difficult to reach by road”.
“They dedicated themselves to ensuring that people, regardless of their location or circumstances, continued to have access to the healthcare services they needed.”
