Flying doctors tragedy exposes rural healthcare risks, Ba’Kelalan rep urges urgent safety reforms

A file photo of the BO-105 helicopter used for Flying Doctor Service to serve medical needs in rural Sarawak. Photo: airliners.net

By Christine T

KUCHING, Oct 14: The safety procedures for Sarawak’s flying doctor services must be urgently reviewed, alongside efforts to improve road access to remote communities that continue to depend on air medical services, said Ba’Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian.

Debating the Sarawak Budget 2027 Supply Bill at the State Legislative Assembly today, Baru called for enhanced aviation safety training for medical personnel, clear protocols for adverse weather conditions and adequate insurance coverage for those undertaking medical missions by air.

He said last month’s Ulu Baram flying doctors helicopter tragedy in Ulu Baram highlighted the risks involved in delivering essential healthcare to communities separated by vast distances, underscoring the need to strengthen safety measures while developing more permanent road connections to remote settlements.

“Flying medical services remain absolutely essential where villages are separated by vast distances,” he said, while urging an urgent review of operational procedures and aviation safety arrangements.

“My own village of Kampung Pa’ Berunut and the Penan settlements around Kpg Long Adang in upper Limbang are still served by flying doctors,” he added.

Baru also conveyed his condolences to the families of the five victims, noting that some had reportedly expressed frustration over the lack of immediate support from the Health Ministry.

He welcomed the Sarawak government’s policy in principle to convert disused logging roads into State roads, saying permanent road connections would improve access to healthcare and reduce reliance on air services.

Baru said he had submitted a proposal for an R3-standard road from the end of the Second Stage of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase I at Long Luping Junction to Kampung Pa’ Berunut and Kampung Long Adang.

The proposal, he added, aligned with the infrastructure priorities outlined under Strategic Thrust Five of Budget 2027, which allocates RM2.27 billion for major road networks, including the Coastal Road, Second Trunk Road and Northern Coastal Highway.

Another RM742 million is allocated for roads and bridges Statewide, including the Rural Bridges Transformation Programme and emergency response works for damaged public infrastructure.

Baru said building permanent road connections would help reduce reliance on flying medical services while providing a more lasting solution to the safety and accessibility challenges faced by remote communities. —DayakDaily