KOTA KINABALU: Thousands of remote villagers across rural areas in Sabah may be denied their monthly medical supplies as the State Health Department has decided to discontinue executor Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd's contract.
Sabah Air chief executive officer Terry Chan confirmed that their contracts under the Flying Doctor Services (FDS) for both monthly medical supplies and emergency services ended today.
"The last renewal for the two contracts was about four or five years ago.. They recently told us in a meeting that they did not have the budget to continue the medical aid service which sees us flying supplies to villagers.
"But they have asked us to tender (for renewal) for the emergency service contract, which is on an adhoc basis like childbirth ... We are in the process of bidding for that one," he said when contacted.
A local daily had quoted Chan as saying they have been running the programme for over 40 years since 1975, servicing nine districts using twin-engine choppers.
Meanwhile, state health director Dr Christina Rundi was not reachable for comments.