.png)
KUALA LUMPUR - The Health Ministry will channel ex-gratia payments ranging from RM50,000 to RM150,000 to the families of health workers killed in Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak on Tuesday.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the amount would be determined by the victim's length of service.
Speaking at a special press conference in conjunction with the 17th Asean Health Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings (17th AHMM), here, Dzulkefly said financial contributions to the victims' families would be channelled through the Health Ministry Sports and Welfare Club headquarters (KESKIP).
Beyond financial aid, he said the ministry's Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team had been mobilised to assist grieving relatives through Psychological First Aid (PFA) services and ongoing emotional support.
The same team, he said is also providing post-trauma support to surviving members of the FDS unit.
"This tragedy is an extremely heavy test and a loss deeply felt by all of us. The thoughts, prayers and solidarity of everyone in the ministry are now fully focused on the families of the victims," he said, extending condolences on behalf of the ministry's entire workforce.
He said retrieval operations were being actively carried out by police and Fire and Rescue Department teams at the crash site.
Miri Hospital, he said, had made full preparations at all levels to receive the victims once their remains were recovered.
However, the ministry stopped short of releasing the identities of those killed.
"Out of respect for the victims' families and in compliance with legal procedures, the ministry will not announce the names of any victims at this time," Dzulkefly said.
He added that identification would be left to the relevant authorities once remains arrived at the hospital.
Further confirmation, he said, would only be released after clearance from authorities.
He said the FDS crew comprised one medical officer, one assistant medical officer, two nurses and a pilot.
The team had been travelling to Long Lellang after completing assignments in Long Banga and Long Siut when the crash occurred.
Dzulkefly emphasised the critical role the FDS plays in reaching underserved populations.
"FDS is an important service to ensure that communities in remote areas continue to have access to healthcare services," he said noting that the choice between land, air or water transport for mobile healthcare delivery depends on factors such as geography, terrain, logistical difficulties, travel duration and patients' conditions.
He said the ministry's immediate priorities were the safety of personnel and patients, continuity of healthcare services and continuous improvement and are working together with relevant authorities such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, Air Accident Investigation Bureau and Sarawak State Health Department.
"We are committed to being transparent. We will provide the latest information and official statements from time to time, as soon as we obtain facts that have been verified by the authorities," Dzulkefly said.
He called for solidarity as search efforts resumed.
"Let us pray together that the Search and Rescue operation, which will continue today, will proceed smoothly," he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that a pilot and four Health Ministry personnel were confirmed dead after the FDS helicopter they were travelling in crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) which occurred at about 3.40pm.
