A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy with a congenital heart condition has been airlifted from Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Lumpur for urgent specialist treatment, in a coordinated emergency mission involving the Fire and Rescue Department and medical personnel.
The operation was carried out by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in Terengganu, in collaboration with its air unit, to transport Ibrahim Fahri Muhammad Iskandar Irwan to the Nation Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur.
The child, who has been receiving intensive care at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah since birth in 2024, required immediate transfer due to the severity of his condition.
State fire department director Nor Mahathir Muhamad said the mercy flight was conducted at about 10.05am, as ground transport posed significant risks to the patient.
"Ibrahim Fahri Muhammad had to be placed in a prone position to optimise his respiratory status," he said, explaining the need for specialised handling during the journey.
The transfer was accompanied by a team of medical professionals, including paediatric neonatology specialists Dr Lew Wil Na and Dr Hasmaiza Harun, along with a trained neonatal nurse, ensuring continuous care throughout the flight.
Nor Mahathir said the mission utilised an AW139 helicopter operated by JBPM pilots, with additional support from trained aviation and fire personnel coordinating the transfer from departure to landing.
"Patients safely landed at the Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology before being transported to IJN," he said.
In a separate statement, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah said the operation marked its first collaboration with the state fire department’s air unit for such a transfer, describing it as a crucial effort to ensure the patient received timely, life-saving treatment.
The mission underscores the growing role of inter-agency coordination in handling critical medical emergencies, particularly in cases where time-sensitive intervention and specialised facilities are required. - March 27, 2026
