The opposition has called for an urgent independent investigation into Sarawak's crippled flying doctor service (FDS) and medical emergency evacuation (Medevac).

NONE PKR's strategic director Tian Chua said the collapse of the FDS and Medevac services in Sarawak had deprived thousands of people of their essential health services in the state's rural areas.

"Rural folks are badly hit by the disruption of FDS and Medevac. Many have lost their lives simply because they could not get treatment at hospitals at the right time.

"PKR wants an independent inquiry into Sarawak's crippled FDS and Medevac. The investigation must include the procedure of awarding FDS and Medevac contracts since 2007," he told reporters here today.

Chua said he would push for an independent inquiry in parliament, during the next sitting, to find out why FDS and Medevac had failed in Sarawak.

FDS had served the remote rural population in Sarawak since 1973 as a vital component of the government's healthcare and medical service programme, helping thousands of rural folk since many places are inaccessible by road or river.

Contract terminated

He said Sarawak has been without an efficient FDS and Medevac service since 2007 when the government awarded a RM63.84 million contract to an aviation company, SAR Helicopters Sdn Bhd, based in Shah Alam, for a period of four years starting Jan 1, 2007 to Dec 31, 2010.

The services of the company was terminated by the Finance Ministry on Nov 12, 2007 after the Sarawak Health Department and Health Ministry had raised concern of its poor services.

He added that FDS and Medevac were partially restored last year from March to December when Hornbill Skywas Sdn Bhd (handled the service in the southern Sarawak, from Kuching to Sri Aman divisions) and Layang-Layang Aviation (operated in the northern, from Bintulu, Miri, Kapit and Limbang division) provided an interim service.

The two companies were given a six-month contract.

Chua urged the Health Ministry to restore the FDS and Medevac fully as soon as possible.

"This year, there were no regular services from January to April. Since May, the Sabah Air had been providing interim FDS and Medevac services. PKR hopes the government can establish a long-term solution to ensure FDS and Medevac remain a viable lifeline for the rural folks in Sarawak," he said.

- Bernama