KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) and the Malayan Nurses Union (MNU) demanded today that the government address aircraft safety before operating Flying Doctor Service (FDS) flights.
HDK spokesman Dr Muhammad Yassin called for a temporary suspension of FDS until a full and thorough inspection of all ageing helicopters, facilities, maintenance records, and operational procedures has been completed by the relevant authorities.
“We strongly reject any empty assurance that the service will simply continue without first addressing the safety of the aircraft, the facilities, the operating system, and the staff involved,” he said in a statement.
“A statement of continuity without clear safety measures, accountability, inspection, and protection for health care workers is inadequate and unacceptable.”
MNU president Noor Aini Abu Hashim didn’t explicitly call for a suspension of the helicopter service that delivers health care to remote communities in Sabah and Sarawak, but maintained that worker safety must be a priority.
“We don’t want the Flying Doctor Service to be stopped and cause communities in the interiors to lose access to medical treatment, but all aircraft used must undergo comprehensive safety checks and verified to be safe before continuing operations,” she said in a statement.
“If there are any doubts about the safety of an aircraft, that aircraft’s operation must be suspended pending completion of safety inspections and verification.
“For MNU, services cannot be provided to the community by sacrificing the lives of health care workers.”
Noor Aini added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) and government should already be making back-up plans on delivering health care services to the interiors if FDS cannot operate due to technical problems.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad announced earlier today that the MOH would “double down” in continuing the FDS service, despite his inability to provide technical safety details to the media after a fatal crash.
A FDS helicopter, reportedly a “reconditioned” BO-105 model that was retired 25 years ago in 2001, crashed in Long Lellang in the interiors of Baram, Sarawak, yesterday afternoon, killing all five people onboard: the pilot, a medical officer, an assistant medical officer, and two nurses.
HDK called for compulsory insurance coverage for all personnel involved in the “high-risk” FDS service.
“We also call for a transparent investigation, with its findings made known clearly to the public and to those directly affected. This matter must be treated as a national priority,” said Dr Muhammad.
“We urge all political leaders to come together and convene a special parliamentary session to discuss the safety of the Flying Doctor Service. A dedicated budget allocation must be provided to upgrade, replace, or maintain any aircraft, equipment, or facilities deemed necessary.
“Parliament must also review the allowance for health care workers involved in the Flying Doctor Service to reflect the level of risk they carry. 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.”
MNU called for an immediate review of an indemnity form that staff are required to sign – which releases the government from all civil claims, actions, or legal liabilities in the event of injury, disability, or death – before embarking on FDS flights.
“Health care workers who join the Flying Doctor Service aren’t travelling in their personal capacity, but on official government duty,” said Noor Aini.
“Therefore, they should not be asked to bear or release their rights over occupational risks that fall under their employer’s responsibility. We want MOH to clearly explain the legal implications of that form towards health workers and their next-of-kin.
“If that indemnity form restricts the rights of workers and their next-of-kin to appropriate protection and compensation, MNU believes that that mechanism must be eliminated or replaced with a fairer form of protection for workers.”
Dzulkefly said the MOH has proposed increasing the RM30 air health service allowance. However, MNU said the issue wasn’t about the quantum but value and protection of health workers.
“What we need is a comprehensive risk protection package, comprising a reasonable risk or air service allowance; sufficient insurance coverage; compensation in the event of accident, injury, or death; specific aviation safety training; training in emergencies and aircraft transfers; clear safety procedures; risk evaluation before a flight; and protection of workers’ rights on official duty,” said Noor Aini.
“An allowance cannot replace safety. We cannot pay workers more to face risks that should be reduced by the employer.”
The nurses’ union called for a fair, professional, comprehensive, and transparent investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the helicopter crash, stressing that identified weaknesses must lead to “real corrective action” beyond producing a report.
MNU suggested that MOH organise a memorial or official tribute to the five victims: pilot Captain Zainol Afiq, medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, assistant medical officer Alexson Adit, as well as staff nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya.
“They died while carrying out their duties to provide health care services to the people, and four of them were MOH personnel, including two nurses,” said Noor Aini.
“A memorial is not merely symbolic. It is a recognition of their sacrifice and a tribute to all health care workers who work in high-risk and hard-to-reach areas.
“At the same time, MNU also calls on the government to ensure that the families of all the victims receive all appropriate assistance, benefits, compensation and welfare support, through a clear and non-burdensome process.”
The nurses’ union reiterated that it wants the FDS to continue flying, but “we want health care workers flying it to return safely to their families.”
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) questioned when more will be done to protect health care workers and supporting personnel who risk their lives to care for others.
“There have been previous accidents involving Flying Doctor Services and ambulances. Once the official investigation is completed, MMA calls for a comprehensive and transparent review of safety standards, aircraft and vehicle maintenance, operational risk assessments, emergency procedures and the protections provided to all personnel involved in health care transportation,” said MMA president Dr R. Arasu in a statement.
“We must establish what happened and ensure that every lesson leads to concrete preventive action. Those who dedicate their lives to saving others deserve the highest possible protection when carrying out their duty.”
