Kuching: The Flying Doctor Service (FDS) team involved in the helicopter crash near Long Lellang this afternoon is one of the active teams providing healthcare services to residents in remote areas of Sarawak.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the FDS was introduced in Sarawak in 1973 and plays a vital role in delivering healthcare services to communities in hard-to-reach areas. Through regular visits, the service provides medicines and vaccines, as well as medical evacuation missions for critically ill patients.

On April 8 this year, Sarawak Health director Dr. Veronica Lugah was reported as saying that the FDS initiative in the state would be further strengthened to ensure residents in remote areas have access to quality healthcare services. She noted that there were currently 97 localities requiring FDS services, covering remote areas in Kapit, Miri, and Limbang, most of which remained difficult to access and were far from adequate road networks. Visits to remote areas occur once a month, although for some locations, they are conducted once every two months, depending on operational capacity.

Dr. Veronica emphasized that despite logistical challenges, this service remains uninterrupted and will continue, as it is vital to residents in these remote areas. The FDS deploys a comprehensive medical team comprising a doctor, nurses, and an assistant medical officer to ensure patients receive holistic care.

Earlier today, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) stated that a BO-105 helicopter carrying five people, including the pilot, had crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport), about 929 kilometers from Kuching. According to CAAM, the helicopter was conducting an FDS mission when the incident occurred.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad mentioned that the helicopter departed from Miri, and besides the pilot, those onboard were a medical officer, an assistant medical officer, and two nurses, all of whom were on official duty. He added that the status of those involved and the cause of the incident had yet to be confirmed, and search and rescue (SAR) operations involving medical personnel and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) were underway.