Helicopters for Langkawi Hospital

NST: KANGAR: The Health Ministry is thinking of setting up helicopter services for the Langkawi Hospital to ferry patients to the mainland.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said a proposal from residents to have a special boat to transfer patients to the mainland would also be considered.
Langkawi residents and Kuah assemblyman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad recently requested for a special boat ambulance to ferry those in need of medical attention from the island to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star.
Patients are now transferred by the public ferry service from Kuah, Langkawi to Kuala Kedah.
Nawawi had said it was difficult if an emergency occurred outside the operational hours of the public ferry service.
Yesterday, Liow said the ministry's medical division would study the proposal to have a boat ambulance and helicopter.
He said that once they were approved, both facilities would be equipped with a medical team.
On the lack of medical staff and equipment in Langkawi Hospital, Liow said: "We expect to increase the number of specialists, especially doctors in Langkawi Hospital. This is to ensure that patients receive due treatment and attention.
"We are aware of the need for the emergency transport.
"We are working to fulfil the needs of Langkawi residents, considering that the island is a popular tourist destination," he said.after attending the launch of the national-level World Health Day celebration at Dewan 2020 here
The Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid officiated the event. Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu.