Sarawak formulates proposals to improve Flying Doctor Service, strengthen Medevac and rural health delivery

Following the suspension of Sarawak's Flying Doctor Service (FDS) after a fatal helicopter crash, the government is exploring temporary alternative healthcare delivery options to remote communities.

Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang highlighted initiatives such as deploying mobile clinics via four-wheel-drive vehicles and boats, and coordinating emergency medical evacuations through various government air assets.

The government aims to propose a comprehensive improvement plan for FDS, focusing on operational safety, aircraft suitability, and personnel welfare, while ensuring continued healthcare access to rural areas.

Additionally, the Sarawak State Health Department is organizing initiatives to enhance medical personnel's preparedness and safety awareness in evacuation operations.

KUCHING, Oct 16 — Sarawak is exploring ways to improve healthcare delivery to remote communities following the suspension of its Flying Doctor Service (FDS) after a helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Baram, that claimed five lives on September 8.

Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang said alternative healthcare delivery methods would be used temporarily while the government formulates proposals to improve the service’s safety and effectiveness.

He said mobile clinic teams were being deployed via four-wheel-drive vehicles and boats to accessible areas, while emergency medical evacuations (Medevac) were being coordinated through alternative government air assets.

These include the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Air Unit, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Air Wing and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

“The government will continue to evaluate and improve the methods of delivering healthcare services to rural areas, taking into account aspects of safety, effectiveness and service continuity, to ensure that rural communities continue to have access to the necessary healthcare services,” he said.

Tiang was responding to Krian assemblyman Friday Belik during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Friday.

He said the government was formulating proposals for a comprehensive improvement of the FDS, covering operational safety, aircraft suitability and capability, emergency training and preparedness, personnel welfare and protection, as well as alternative methods of delivering healthcare to rural communities.

The measures would take into account the findings of relevant assessments and investigations, as well as healthcare needs in remote localities.

Tiang also said the Sarawak State Health Department, in collaboration with JBPM, was organising the Sarawak Medevac Staff Engagement, Safety Briefing and Aircraft Familiarisation Roadshow 2026.

The initiative aims to strengthen medical personnel’s understanding, preparedness and confidence in Medevac operations and patient escorts to ensure evacuations are carried out safely and efficiently.

Tiang described the September 8 crash as a tragedy that deeply affected Sarawak, particularly the healthcare fraternity and the families of the five victims, comprising four healthcare personnel and a helicopter pilot.

He conveyed the Sarawak government’s condolences to the bereaved families and paid tribute to the victims for their service to communities in remote areas.

Introduced in Sarawak in 1973, the FDS provides primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, and emergency medical evacuations to communities inaccessible by road.

Tiang said the service had played an important role for decades in overcoming the geographical challenges faced by communities in Sarawak’s interior.

He stressed that the government would continue to assess appropriate service delivery methods to ensure healthcare access was maintained while prioritising safety and effectiveness. — The Borneo Post

Sarawak DUN suspends DAP’s Chong Chieng Jen over offensive language, unverified claims in Budget debate

Man with 33 criminal, drug records arrested over glue tin attack on elderly man in Segamat

MPs demand tougher Asean haze response, call for disaster fund and stricter enforcement

在砂拉越飞行医生服务 (FDS) 因一起致命的直升机坠毁事故而暂停后，政府正在探索为偏远社区提供临时替代医疗保健服务的方案。

副部长拿督迈克尔·蒂昂重点介绍了各项举措，例如通过四驱车和船只部署移动诊所，以及通过各种政府空中资源协调紧急医疗救援。

政府的目标是提出一项全面的FDS改进计划，重点关注运行安全、飞机适用性和人员福利，同时确保农村地区继续获得医疗保健服务。

此外，砂拉越州卫生局正在组织各项活动，以提高医务人员在疏散行动中的准备和安全意识。

古晋，10 月 16 日讯——9 月 8 日，巴南龙勒朗发生直升机坠毁事故，造成 5 人死亡，此后砂拉越的飞行医生服务 (FDS) 暂停运营。目前，砂拉越正在探索改善偏远社区医疗保健服务的方法。

公共卫生、房屋及地方政府部副部长拿督迈克尔·蒂昂表示，在政府制定方案以提高医疗服务的安全性和有效性期间，将暂时采用其他医疗服务方式。

他表示，移动诊所团队正通过四驱车和船只部署到交通便利的地区，同时，紧急医疗后送（Medevac）正通过政府的其他空中资源进行协调。

其中包括马来西亚消防救援局（JBPM）航空部队、马来西亚皇家警察（PDRM）航空队和马来西亚皇家空军（RMAF）。

他说：“政府将继续评估和改进向农村地区提供医疗保健服务的方法，同时考虑到安全性、有效性和服务连续性等因素，以确保农村社区能够继续获得必要的医疗保健服务。”

蒂昂是在周五于此地举行的州立法议会（DUN）的问答环节中回应克里安州议员弗莱迪·贝利克的提问时做出上述表态的。

他表示，政府正在制定全面改进FDS的方案，涵盖运行安全、飞机适用性和能力、应急训练和准备、人员福利和保护，以及向农村社区提供医疗保健的替代方法。

这些措施将考虑相关评估和调查的结果，以及偏远地区的医疗保健需求。

Tiang 还表示，砂拉越州卫生局与 JBPM 合作，正在组织 2026 年砂拉越医疗救援人员参与、安全简报和飞机熟悉巡回展。

该倡议旨在加强医务人员对医疗后送行动和病人护送的理解、准备和信心，以确保后送行动安全有效地进行。

Tiang 将 9 月 8 日的坠机事件描述为一场悲剧，对砂拉越造成了深远的影响，尤其是对医疗界和五名遇难者家属的影响，这五名遇难者包括四名医护人员和一名直升机飞行员。

他代表砂拉越州政府向遇难者家属表示慰问，并向遇难者为偏远地区社区所做的贡献致敬。

FDS于1973年在砂拉越引入，为道路无法到达的社区提供初级医疗保健、妇幼保健服务和紧急医疗救援。

Tiang表示，几十年来，这项服务在帮助砂拉越内陆社区克服地理挑战方面发挥了重要作用。

他强调，政府将继续评估合适的医疗服务提供方式，以确保在保障安全性和有效性的前提下，维持医疗服务的可及性。——《婆罗洲邮报》

砂拉越州议会因民主行动党议员张健仁在预算辩论中发表冒犯性言论和未经证实的言论，暂停其党籍。

一名有33项犯罪和毒品记录的男子因在昔加末用胶水罐袭击一名老年男子而被捕。该男子在昔加末被捕。

议员们要求东盟加强对雾霾的应对力度，呼吁设立灾害基金并加强执法力度。