KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Rescue teams are working to evacuate victims of the helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak, with the operation beginning at 7.30 am today, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said. 

He said the operation was being carried out by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

Dzulkefly said hospitals in Miri were also fully prepared at all levels to receive the victims once they were evacuated from the crash site.

“As of this morning, the evacuation operation is being carried out by the rescue teams, namely the Royal Malaysia Police and the Fire and Rescue Department,” he told a press conference here today.

Also present were Health director-general Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab and Deputy Health director-general (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari.

 Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the MOH always takes into account input from the authorities on technical and aviation safety aspects before making any decision on the use of helicopter assets for FDS.

He also confirmed that the healthcare personnel who died in the helicopter crash were carrying out routine FDS duties when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, when asked about flight approval for FDS operations, Dr Mahathar said every movement of an aircraft or helicopter must comply with the prescribed safety procedures before permission to fly is granted.

He said the decision on whether a flight is allowed to operate is subject to approval by the relevant agencies and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the MOH.

“Whether permission to fly is granted or not is subject to approval by the relevant agencies, not the MOH,” he said. 

Elaborating, Dr Mahathar explained that FDS operations comprise several components, including scheduled services carried out periodically according to the needs of residents in rural areas, as well as emergency medical evacuation (medevac) services to transport critically ill patients for treatment.

He said medevac missions would continue to be carried out whenever there was an urgent need to transport patients, subject to flight approval after taking into account safety assessments and prevailing weather conditions.

“However, as for scheduled services, the MOH will review the matter and, from time to time, provide input to the team on the ground,” he said.

A pilot and four MOH personnel were confirmed dead after the BO-105 flying doctor services helicopter they were travelling in crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) in Ulu Baram, Sarawak, yesterday. — Bernama