Langkawi Residents Welcome Long-awaited Sea Ambulance Service

LANGKAWI, June 29 (Bernama) -- The government's move to introduce a sea ambulance service, which is expected to begin operations early next year, has brought relief to Langkawi residents as it is set to improve access to emergency medical treatment, particularly for patients requiring referral to hospitals on the mainland.

Langkawi Small Traders Association chairman Yusuf Zakaria, 60, welcomed the introduction of the service, describing it as a much-needed initiative.

He said that although a water ambulance service operated by a non-governmental organisation is currently available, he was not fully aware of its operating procedures.

“With a government-provided sea ambulance, I am confident the service will be better organised and carried out in accordance with procedures that ensure patients' safety,” he told Bernama today.

Contractor Muhamad Hafiz Abdul Jalil, 48, said the service is greatly needed as Langkawi residents have long faced difficulties transporting patients to the mainland for treatment.

He expressed hope that the initiative would be implemented as planned so that residents would no longer have to rely on ferry services.

“It was extremely difficult without a sea ambulance and we had to depend on ferry services, which may not be suitable for transporting certain patients,” he said.

For trader Masri Ahmad, 61, the sea ambulance is a facility long awaited by Langkawi residents, particularly in dealing with emergencies at night when ferry services are unavailable.

He said the facility would not only benefit residents, but would also assist tourists requiring emergency medical treatment while visiting the resort island.

“Langkawi residents are truly grateful to the government because we have been waiting for it for a very long time. It will not only benefit residents, but also tourists who may encounter health problems while in Langkawi,” he said.

Yesterday, Finance Minister ll Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the Ministry of Finance had allocated RM5.5 million for the purchase of a sea ambulance for Langkawi and to cover the service's initial operating costs. 

-- BERNAMA