The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department has launched Malaysia’s first helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS), which it is calling Emergency Medical Air Rescue Services (EMARS). The service, which currently operates a fleet of nine helicopters, including Mil Mi-17, AW109Es, AW139, and AW189, will convert one of its AW109s into a HEMS configuration.

Speaking on RTM’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia TV programme, Fire Service Director General Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin explained that “EMARS will be used to transfer victims from hospital to hospital and facilitate access to services for residents in rural areas, especially the Orang Asli community who are known to have difficulty using land routes.” He added that the EMARS initiative is the result of work with the Health Ministry and the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa).

 

 

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