Sandakan fire: MoH deploys rapid response and mental health teams

LocalHealth & Fitness
20 Apr 2026 • 1:42 PM MYT
The Sun Daily
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Health Ministry activates medical, mental health and sanitation response after Sandakan fire to support displaced victims

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health has activated immediate medical, psychological and public health response measures following the devastating fire at Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad expressed his heartfelt condolences to the affected families and confirmed that rapid response teams have been deployed to support recovery efforts at designated relief centres.

The Ministry has dispatched Rapid Assessment and Response Teams to all evacuation centres to provide immediate clinical care and comprehensive health screenings for displaced residents.

“Only two minor injury cases involving fractures were reported and treated at health facilities, and both patients have since been discharged.

“No fatalities or injuries among Ministry of Health personnel were reported,” Dzulkefly said.

In recognition of the psychological trauma associated with the disaster, Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) teams have been mobilised.

These teams are providing mental health support, emotional counselling and early psychological intervention for victims and their families.

“The Ministry has also implemented preventive public health and sanitation measures at relief centres to mitigate the risk of post-disaster disease outbreaks,” he added.

Dzulkefly said that continuous monitoring will be carried out to ensure the wellbeing of affected communities as recovery efforts progress.