Armed forces ready to assist Flying Doctor Service after helicopter crash

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian armed forces are prepared to assist the Health Ministry's Flying Doctor Service (FDS) following a recent helicopter crash that suspended their operations. General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman, the chief of the armed forces, stated that the military will coordinate with the Health Ministry and other agencies to provide airlift support, particularly for emergency cases in remote areas.

The armed forces, through the Royal Malaysian Air Force, are ready to respond to assistance requests based on asset availability. Malek emphasized that this support is a shared responsibility during peacetime and that the armed forces are willing to contribute. He also mentioned that the armed forces regularly assist with airlift requests, including transporting people from Sabah and Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur.

However, this is the first time the armed forces will support a routine medical service like the FDS. The FDS in Sarawak will resume operations once the investigation into the helicopter crash is complete and the Health Ministry confirms the safety of operations. The ministry is conducting a comprehensive audit of service locations, operator compliance, and the psychosocial needs of FDS personnel.

The temporary suspension affects seven FDS teams serving 85 localities, impacting around 14,830 people in Sarawak's interior.