BELURAN: A 26-year-old woman who is 34 weeks pregnant and identified as a high-risk case was airlifted from Kampung Abuan, Paitan, on Sunday after access was cut off due to a damaged bridge and unsafe river conditions.
The evacuation followed the collapse of the Kampung Kumambu iron bridge caused by continuous rain and rising river levels since Thursday (Jan 29), which severed land access to Kampung Abuan and the Abuan Health Clinic.
The District Health Office said it received an initial report on Friday with assessments confirming that both land and river routes were inaccessible and unsafe amid unstable weather and uncertainty over bridge repairs.
Although the woman was clinically stable and under close monitoring by Abuan Health Clinic staff, a comprehensive risk assessment determined that early evacuation was the safest option to ensure uninterrupted care and emergency access if required.
The air evacuation using a Mi-171 helicopter was carried out on Sunday from Abuan Health Clinic to the Beluran Sports Complex field before she was transferred by ambulance to Beluran Hospital, where both mother and unborn child were reported to be safe and stable.
