As Malaysia turns 63, rural communities are still waiting for equal healthcare — Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri

As Malaysians prepare to mark Malaysia Day on September 16, a helicopter crash on September 8 has brought attention to the disparities in healthcare access across the country. The crash killed five people at Long Lellang Airport, near Ulu Baram in Sarawak. In response, the Health Ministry suspended all Flying Doctor Service (FDS) operations in the state pending a review.

This highlights a stark reality for rural communities in Sarawak, many of which still rely on the FDS for healthcare, despite being served only once a month or even less. The FDS, introduced in Sarawak in 1973, remains a critical service for these remote areas, but the review underscores the need for a more permanent solution. Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), in contrast, operates under a long-term, decade-long funding agreement and conducts regular needs assessments, ensuring sustained and equitable access to healthcare.

Malaysia should consider adopting a similar long-term, ring-fenced funding framework for the FDS, with regular 3-year reviews to determine community needs and service adequacy. This approach would better address the geographic and logistical challenges faced by remote communities and ensure that healthcare remains a permanent national responsibility.