Health around Long Lellang Airport
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Sarawak flying doctor service needs multiyear funding, says researcher
A research fellow has proposed putting Sarawak's Flying Doctor Service on a multiyear funding framework after the Sept 8 helicopter crash at Long Lellang Airport in Ulu Baram killed five people. The Health Ministry suspended all FDS operations in Sarawak pending a review covering contracts, governance and safety. The service covers 97 remote localities across Kapit, Miri and Limbang.
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FPMPAM seeks national committee on occupational risk after Long Lellang crash
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia has proposed a time-limited National Inter-Agency Committee on Occupational Risk Protection for Frontline Public Personnel after the Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash at Long Lellang, Sarawak, on September 8, 2026, which killed a pilot and four Health Ministry personnel. FPMPAM says the review should cover insurance, compensation, hazardous-duty allowances, safety requirements and liability waivers, and involve multiple ministries, agencies and the Sabah and Sarawak state governments.
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Long Lellang crash puts spotlight on rural healthcare in Sabah, Sarawak
A Flying Doctor Service helicopter crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport in Ulu Baram on 8 September, killing a medical officer, an assistant medical officer, two nurses and a pilot. The tragedy has renewed attention on rural healthcare in Sabah and Sarawak, where mobile health teams and air services are often the only way to reach remote communities. The Health Ministry has suspended FDS operations in Sarawak pending a safety review.
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Sarawak air doctor service suspension depends on crash probe, says Health Ministry
Malaysia's Health Ministry says the temporary suspension of the Sarawak air doctor service (FDS) will depend on the outcome of official investigations into a helicopter crash at Long Lellang. The suspension affects seven teams covering 85 localities and about 14,830 interior residents. The ministry is reviewing the service and maximising road and river transport as alternatives.
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FDS Sarawak suspended, 14,830 interior residents lose flying doctor access
Malaysia's Health Ministry says the temporary suspension of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) in Sarawak affects about 14,830 people in the state's interior, involving seven teams covering 85 localities. The suspension follows a BO-105 helicopter crash near Long Lellang STOLport on Sept 8 that killed five people, including four ministry health workers and a pilot. The ministry is reviewing the service and maximising alternative road and river transport after risk assessments.
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Health Ministry to review Air Doctor Service contracts after Long Lellang crash
Malaysia's Health Ministry will review all contracts tied to the Air Doctor Service, including helicopter use, following a crash at Long Lellang, Sarawak that killed four ministry staff and a pilot. The director-general said the RM30 per-trip allowance for PDU personnel will also be re-examined, while CAAM investigates the aircraft.
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Health Ministry to use four agencies' assets to replace air doctor service
The Health Ministry says treatment for interior patients cannot stop after the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) was suspended following a helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak. Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said assets from the Fire and Rescue Department, police, air force and maritime agency will be used for mercy flights while investigations continue. He spoke after receiving the remains of Dr Ainul Baraah Kamarudin at Masjid Al Karomah in Pengkalan Chepa.
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MoH turns to Bomba for medevac after Sarawak Flying Doctor Service suspended
The Health Ministry is strengthening cooperation with Bomba for emergency medical evacuation after all Flying Doctor Service operations in Sarawak were suspended following the Sept 8 helicopter crash at Long Lellang. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the remains of the five victims were handed to their families at Miri Hospital's Forensic Department on Sept 13, after DNA identification by police and the Chemistry Department.
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Long Lellang FDS suspension leaves interior Sarawak patients travelling hours for care
Flying Doctor Service operations across Sarawak have been suspended after a helicopter crash at Long Lellang, forcing residents of remote villages to travel by road, boat or plane to Marudi or Miri for treatment. The Health Ministry says 97 localities in Kapit, Miri and Limbang depend on the service, and an air accident investigation is still under way.
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FDS Sarawak suspended, number of affected villagers to be announced soon
The government will soon announce how many people in Sarawak's interior are affected after scheduled flights under the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) were suspended. Health Director-General Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab said only emergency and MEDEVAC flights are running for now. The suspension follows a BO-105 helicopter crash at Long Lellang that killed five people.
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SUPP seeks MoH review of Flying Doctor Service after Long Lellang crash
SUPP has urged the Ministry of Health to review the Flying Doctor Service after a helicopter crash in Long Lellang killed a pilot and four MoH personnel. The party said the tragedy highlights Sarawak's continued reliance on air transport for interior healthcare and renewed its call for healthcare autonomy under MA63.
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Health Ministry suspends Sarawak Flying Doctor Service after fatal helicopter crash
The Health Ministry has temporarily suspended all Flying Doctor Service operations in Sarawak to allow a full investigation after a BO-105 helicopter crashed near the Long Lellang STOL airport in Ulu Baram on Sept 8, killing all five on board. Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad reversed the ministry's position from a day earlier, saying Medevac services will continue with help from the Fire and Rescue Department and possible military assets. The Air Accident Investigation Bureau is still determining the cause.
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Aide: Dzulkefly proposed raising FDS allowance to at least RM60
An aide to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says the minister proposed raising the Air Health Service Incentive from RM30 to at least RM60 back in November 2025, before last week's fatal Flying Doctor Service helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, Sarawak. The allowance, unchanged since 1978, is being reviewed with the Finance Ministry and Public Service Department. The MOH later said the Sarawak FDS service would be suspended pending safety and operational reviews, with Medevac continuing for emergencies.
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Health Minister: Flying Doctor Service to continue after fatal Sarawak crash
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Flying Doctor Services (FDS) will continue despite a helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak, that killed a pilot and four ministry personnel. He stated there is no need to suspend the service, which is vital for rural healthcare access. The ministry confirmed the personnel were on routine FDS duties.
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FDS remains crucial for Sarawak's remote areas after fatal helicopter crash
The Flying Doctor Service remains vital for delivering healthcare to Sarawak's remote communities due to difficult terrain. This follows a helicopter crash near Long Lellang, Baram, on Sept 8 that killed all five people on board. A former senior fire official highlighted the ongoing risks and challenges of such air operations.