By Zaki Salleh
IPOH – The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the government to strengthen safety and protection measures for healthcare workers carrying out missions by air, land and sea following the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter tragedy in Long Lellang, Sarawak.
MMA President Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo said the tragedy claimed five lives, including pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham and four healthcare workers.
They were Medical Officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, Assistant Medical Officer Alexson Adit Henry, and nurses Debra Moset and Jessie Paya Jok.
He said the accident should not be viewed as an isolated incident, as other incidents involving FDS operations were also reported in Cameron Highlands in 2022, Sabah in 2024 and Sarawak in 2025.
“MMA also raises concerns over ambulance accidents, which, according to a study based on police data, recorded an average of 129 ambulance accidents annually over five selected years, including nine fatal accidents.
“The government must ensure that only aircraft, ambulances, boats and other vehicles that have been certified as safe and suitable for operational purposes are used to transport healthcare workers.
“The helicopters or aircraft used by medical personnel should, in terms of safety and capability, be equivalent to those used by ministers,” he said.
He said this when reporters met him while he attended the National MMA Convention and Scientific Congress 2026 here today.
The convention was earlier officiated by Perak State Health Department Director Dato’ Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha.
Also present was MMA Perak Chairman Dr Monesh Pillai.
Dr Thirunavukarasu added that the age of the assets, maintenance records, safety certification, emergency equipment, and terrain and weather conditions must be assessed regularly.
MMA also urged the government to provide automatic personal accident and travel insurance coverage for all healthcare workers undertaking official medical duties.
He said the RM30 Air Health Service Incentive introduced in 1978 should also be reviewed as it does not constitute insurance protection.
He added that compensation and benefits for the families of the Long Lellang tragedy victims must be clearly provided without burdening grieving families with complicated claims procedures.
“MMA also proposes the establishment of a multidisciplinary national task force to audit the entire FDS system, air medical evacuation, ambulances and medical boats.
“The task force should involve clinical personnel, emergency specialists, aviation and transport safety experts, as well as relevant authorities from Sabah and Sarawak.
“At the same time, all healthcare workers must receive appropriate safety and emergency training, as well as the right to raise safety concerns or refuse assignments deemed unsafe without facing any form of action.
“The five lives lost in Long Lellang must mark a turning point because preventing the next tragedy is a responsibility,” he said.
