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KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry (MOH) will continue operating the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) to ensure healthcare access for remote communities, even as it assesses safety concerns surrounding the BO-105 helicopter following a fatal crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said there was no reason to halt the service, describing it as crucial for people living in remote areas, and that a decision on the BO-105's future use would only be made once the safety assessment is complete.
"One of the main goals of the FDS is to achieve universal health coverage, and we will strengthen and continue providing it," he said at a special press conference at the JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, held in conjunction with the 17th Asean Health Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings (17th AHMM).
He noted that MOH has no helicopter assets of its own and has always relied on contracted helicopters for the FDS since it began operating in the 1970s, unlike its boat and other transport assets — which is why continuing the service does not hinge on the outcome of the BO-105 review.
Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab, speaking at the same press conference, said the ministry recognised the FDS's importance to deep rural communities in Sarawak, but that helicopter safety fell under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities, whose findings would guide any decision on the BO-105's continued use.
Turning to the crash itself, Dzulkefly said MOH's priorities were the welfare of the victims' families and the continuity of healthcare services. The ministry's Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team has been mobilised to provide psychological first aid and ongoing emotional support to the families and the FDS team, while ex-gratia financial assistance of between RM50,000 and RM150,000 will be provided to the families involved.
Search and rescue efforts were ongoing at the time of writing, with Miri Hospital on standby to receive the victims. The identities of those involved will only be released once official identification and clearance by the authorities is complete.
Dzulkefly said MOH would work with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, the Air Accident Investigation Bureau and the Sarawak State Health Department to prioritise safety while ensuring the FDS's continuity.
