KOTA KINABALU: A senior citizen suffering from a chronic illness and serious eye injuries received medical evacuation (Medevac) assistance from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in Sandakan.
The 73-year-old, residing in the remote village of Kampung Tundun Bohangin, Kinabatangan, was transported on the marine vessel Halilintar 4 to the Sandakan Maritime Jetty.
She was then taken by road to the Duchess of Kent Hospital.
Sandakan Maritime Zone Director Kpt Maritime Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said they received a call for help at 9.20am on Saturday (December 21) and arranged for humanitarian assistance.
“The patient had serious eye injuries and also suffered from other chronic illnesses,” he said on Sunday (December 22).
He mentioned that the seas were quite rough, but the medevac team, along with Saripah and her two children, arrived safely at the Sandakan jetty at 11.35am, before continuing to the hospital by road.
In other developments, Suhairy reminded the maritime community to be extra careful during the rainy season and to always take safety precautions, such as wearing life jackets, monitoring weather conditions, and ensuring their boats are in good condition before going out to sea.
He also advised them to carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), inform family members of their destinations and movements, bring enough food and water, and avoid activities outside areas with telecommunication signals.
The public can report any incidents and emergencies to the Sandakan maritime operations centre at 089-229504 or via the 999 emergency call.
