MOH moves on compensation for Sarawak helicopter crash victims’ families, flying doctor service stays grounded

TAIPING, Sept 21 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) is collaborating with the Public Service Department’s (PSD) Pension Division and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to ensure a smooth process for granting death ex-gratia payments, retirement benefit claims, and other benefits to the families and heirs of the victims who perished in the flying doctor service (FDS) operation helicopter crash in Sarawak on September 8.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said the measure is currently underway to ensure that the surviving next of kin receive appropriate justice and support.

“I cannot state the details, but the calculations include everything in great detail, and they are currently computing all of that. The ex-gratia has many components to it,” he told reporters after conducting a working visit to the Taiping Hospital here today.

The crash on September 8 claimed the lives of all five individuals on board the BO-105 helicopter operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace after it crashed near the end of the Long Lellang STOLport runway at approximately 3:40pm.

The victims who perished were medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, 33, medical assistant Alexson Adit Henry, 31, two nurses, Debra Moset, 40, and Jessie Paya Jok, 44, as well as pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, 30.

Meanwhile, he said the MOH has not set a specific timeframe for the suspension of FDS operations in Sarawak following the temporary suspension, adding that operations will only resume after the authorities complete their official investigation findings.

“As soon as we can restart, we will restart. We won’t wait. But until a decision is made, everything depends on the investigation results and so forth. So, we will wait to get the investigation results, and immediately after that, we will take steps to make decisions regarding subsequent services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the MOH has allocated over RM1.65 million to upgrade and improve facilities at Taiping Hospital adding that the allocation involves upgrading, renovation, and repair works covering healthcare facilities, restrooms, and other areas.

According to him, this amount is an increase compared to the allocation of RM571,000 last year for improvement works involving the hospital’s Emergency Department and psychiatric ward, which has already been fully completed. — Bernama