BACHOK: What might seem like a straightforward trip to the hospital turned into a carefully planned operation in Teluk Kemunting today, when a woman weighing about 150 kilogrammes needed to be evacuated from her home and transported to Hospital Bachok for treatment.
Due to her health condition and limited mobility, the patient could not be safely moved by her family alone. Recognising the risks involved, they contacted the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) for assistance, triggering a response that sheds light on the often unseen side of emergency and support services — the complex logistics of helping patients who are unable to move on their own.
Kelantan APM deputy director Mohd Farid Ishak said that after assessing the situation, his team concluded that the operation required additional manpower and careful coordination.
“In cases like this, we look at several factors: the patient’s condition, body weight, the structure of the house and the route we need to take to get them out. After our assessment, we deployed 18 personnel, including officers from APM Bachok and Pasir Puteh,” he said.
The operation began with personnel transferring the woman onto a stretcher inside the house, a process that required careful lifting so as not to cause her pain or further strain. From there, the team slowly moved in unison, guided by a designated leader who coordinated their steps and ensured the stretcher remained stable.
“Moving a patient who is unable to support their own weight involves more than just carrying. It’s about maintaining balance, keeping the patient calm and constantly communicating among the team,” Mohd Farid explained.
The patient was then loaded onto an APM lorry from Pasir Puteh, which provided enough space to accommodate the stretcher and several personnel alongside her. The larger vehicle also allowed the team to better secure the stretcher during the journey to Hospital Bachok.
According to Mohd Farid, the operation went smoothly and the patient arrived at the hospital safely.
Beyond the immediate outcome, the case highlights a broader issue: how emergency and support agencies respond to the needs of patients who face serious mobility barriers, such as those living with obesity or chronic conditions that confine them to bed.
“Not everyone can simply get into a car or standard ambulance. Some people require extra hands, extra planning and, sometimes, specialised vehicles,” he said.
APM personnel, he added, are trained not only for floods, accidents or search-and-rescue missions, but also for medical support scenarios that involve physically demanding and sensitive tasks like today’s operation.
“We remind our members that while this is ‘just another operation’ to us, it is a very personal, emotional moment for the patient and their family. So we stress professionalism, empathy and respect at every step,” he said.
This includes being mindful of how they speak to and about the patient, and ensuring as much privacy as possible is maintained during the process.
Mohd Farid also called on members of the public who encounter such operations not to record or share images of patients online.
“Dignity is part of care. Someone’s toughest day should not become content for social media,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the patient’s family for their cooperation, noting that their willingness to assist and follow instructions made it easier for the team to plan routes, clear space and keep the patient reassured.
The incident serves as a reminder that community-based emergency support encompasses more than high-profile disaster scenes. For some households, especially those caring for relatives who are bedridden or have severe mobility challenges, agencies like APM can be the critical link between home and hospital.
“As long as there is a genuine need and the request comes through the proper channels, we will do our best to help. Our role is to make sure that people who need medical care can reach it safely, regardless of their physical limitations,” Mohd Farid said.