1 day Ago By Mohamed Farid Noh
PASIR GUDANG: The armed forces will deploy 35 medical officers to Myanmar to provide trauma and orthopaedic care following the 7.9-magnitude earthquake on March 28.Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the deployment followed a formal request from Myanmar and cabinet approval for the armed forces to establish a mobile field hospital at a location to be decided by the host government.
"The objective is to perform emergency surgeries and treat orthopaedic trauma cases to reduce the risk of permanent disabilities among earthquake victims," he told a press conference officiating the new BHPetrol station in Seri Alam, here, today.The mobile facility, he said, would also serve as a training opportunity to support Myanmar's medical personnel through capacity-building efforts."We are fully prepared and only awaiting the go-ahead from Myanmar regarding the exact deployment site," he added.
The earthquake, which left 84 hospitals destroyed or damaged, has left Myanmar's healthcare system severely strained, prompting urgent calls for international assistance.Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan earlier confirmed Malaysia's humanitarian response, citing parallels with previous deployments to Turkiye under similar circumstances.Khaled said the hospital's patient capacity will be determined once Asean coordination is finalised, as other regional countries are also expected to contribute medical aid.
On safety concerns due to Myanmar's internal conflict, Khaled said the ministry has requested firm security assurances from Naypyidaw."We've been informed that a ceasefire is in effect, but such truces can be breached. We are seeking guarantees that our personnel will be stationed in secure zones," he said.
The deployment date is still under negotiation, pending confirmation from the Myanmar government.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
