Fatal crash: Groups demand Flying Doctor safety overhaul as minister rules out suspension

 

Healthcare associations have urged authorities to improve safety measures for the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) following a helicopter crash in Sarawak that killed four medical personnel and a pilot.

The call came as Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said there was “no reason or need” to suspend the FDS, which provides healthcare access to those in remote areas.

“One of the important things that we want to achieve through FDS is universal health coverage, so we will continue, and we will ‘double down’, and we will strengthen and continue to provide (the service),” CodeBlue quoted him as saying at a press conference today.

Health director-general Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab, who was also present, reportedly confirmed that the Health Ministry did not have information on the aircraft’s maintenance history.

Dzulkefly (above) said this was because the ministry did not own helicopters for the service, which was instead provided through a contractual leasing arrangement that also covered maintenance.

Demand for clear safety measures

Hartal Doktor Kontrak called for the FDS to be temporarily suspended until all ageing helicopters, facilities, maintenance records, and operational procedures have been thoroughly inspected by the relevant regulatory authorities.

In a statement, the contract doctors’ rights group rejected any “empty assurance” that the service would simply continue without first addressing safety concerns involving the aircraft, facilities, operating system, and personnel.

“A statement of continuity without clear safety measures, accountability, inspection, and protection for healthcare workers is inadequate and unacceptable.

“For too long, the welfare and safety of healthcare workers have been pushed aside in the name of keeping services running. Essential services must continue, but they must never continue at the cost of preventable harm to the very people carrying them,” said the group.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said the tragedy should prompt authorities to answer a “difficult, but necessary question”: when will more be done to protect healthcare workers and supporting personnel who risk their lives to care for others?

“There have been previous accidents involving FDS and ambulances... Their final journey reflected the courage and commitment of those who serve in areas where access to healthcare remains difficult.

“The nation owes them a debt that words alone cannot repay,” said MMA president Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo (below) in a statement.

He said those who dedicated their lives to serving others deserved the “highest possible protection” while carrying out their duties, adding that lessons from the incident must lead to concrete preventive action.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia yesterday said a BO-105 helicopter carrying five people had crashed near the Long Lellang Short Runway Airport in Ulu Baram, about 929km from Kuching.

The victims were identified as pilot Zainol Afriq, Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin, assistant medical officer Alexson Adit, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya. All were on official FDS duties.

The five were later confirmed to have perished in the incident, which occurred at about 3.40pm.

Call for compensation review

The incident has also put the RM30 Air Health Service Incentive Payment allowance for a return flight under scrutiny, after CodeBlue quoted a government doctor who said he was unaware of the allowance when he travelled on an FDS flight in 2018.

The doctor also claimed he had received no dedicated aviation safety or structured emergency evacuation training before boarding the flight.

The portal published an indemnity form that the doctor reportedly said he had been required to sign before serving on the FDS.

The form allegedly indemnifies the government, the armed forces, and any Commonwealth Armed Forces against legal claims or action brought by the signatory, their next-of-kin, or estate in the event of death or disability while travelling on an aircraft, ship, or vehicle managed by the armed forces.

However, it remains unclear whether the five victims in yesterday’s crash had signed the same form.

On allowances for healthcare workers involved in the FDS, Hartal Doktor Kontrak said a special parliamentary session should be held to review the rates to reflect the risks they face.

The special session should also discuss FDS safety, said the group, adding that a dedicated budget should be allocated for necessary work on aircraft, equipment, and facilities used by the service.

“This is not part of their ordinary job scope compared with many of their colleagues, and they must be compensated fairly for carrying this additional risk.

“Additionally, proper indemnity and insurance coverage should be made compulsory for all personnel involved in this high-risk service,” the group added.

Dzulkefly has also said that the Health Ministry submitted a proposal in November last year to revise allowances for healthcare personnel under the FDS, with the minister expressing confidence in receiving a positive response from relevant authorities. -  Mkini