Health Ministry rolls out RM1.45m sea ambulance and birthing unit for Pulau Tuba islanders

LANGKAWI, July 5 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has rolled out a RM1.45 million sea ambulance and an Emergency Birthing Unit (EBU) on Pulau Tuba, boosting emergency care access for over 5,000 island residents.

In a statement today, MOH said the 48-foot sea ambulance, which began operations on May 20, is custom-built for patient transport and equipped with modern emergency care facilities.

Efficient project management delivered the facility 18 weeks ahead of schedule, the ministry added.

“With an average of seven to ten emergency referrals by sea to Langkawi’s health facilities every month, the need for this service is undeniable,” the statement read.

The sea ambulance now enables faster, safer and more efficient patient transfers, strengthening emergency response for the entire island community, it added.

Meanwhile, the EBU facility is a rebranding of the Alternative Birthing Centre (ABC) from July 2024, supported by RM50,000 in upgrades and equipment.

“The EBU serves as a primary facility to ensure pregnant women receive early treatment in obstetric emergencies, especially when transfer to hospital is hampered by bad weather or rough seas,” said MOH.

Since becoming operational, the EBU has helped manage maternal referrals more systematically, with an average of six cases per year. To date, no emergency births have been recorded on the island.

“This achievement reflects the effectiveness of the health team’s risk screening, antenatal monitoring and early referral practices,” the ministry said.

Both initiatives were launched by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad at the Klinik Kesihatan Pulau Tuba earlier today. — Bernama