THE Health Ministry has brought in four government agencies to help maintain medical services in Sarawak’s remote interior following the temporary suspension of its Flying Doctor Service (FDS) after last week’s fatal helicopter crash in Long Lellang.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry could not afford to leave patients in remote communities without access to treatment, particularly as many of the areas are difficult to reach by road.
The agencies assisting are the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia).
He said the arrangements included air medical transfers through JBPM.
“We cannot delay this. We cannot allow it to go on for too long because this is temporary in nature,” he told reporters after accompanying the remains of FDS doctor Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, 33, at Masjid Al-Karomah in Baung today.
Dr Ainul was among five people killed in the helicopter crash in Long Lellang. Four of the victims were healthcare workers.
Dzulkefly said the FDS was suspended to give the authorities time to investigate the crash and review the service’s operational and safety procedures.
He said the ministry would wait for the investigation findings before deciding on further measures and the resumption of the service.
“We are constantly evaluating the service, but following this tragic incident, we will give greater attention to safety and make the necessary improvements to the FDS,” he said.
The ministry operates seven FDS teams serving an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 people in Sarawak’s interior.
For communities cut off from conventional road access, the service provides an important link to medical care.
Dzulkefly said the temporary air arrangements would help ensure treatment could continue while the authorities completed their investigation and the ministry reviewed the safety of FDS operations.
The ministry has yet to set a date for the resumption of the FDS, pending the outcome of the investigation. – September 13, 2026
