Armed Forces field hospital team returns from Myanmar humanitarian mission
The 69-member team, comprising officers and personnel from various specialisations, including the Forward Anaesthesia and Surgical Team (Fast), Royal Engineers Regiment (Rajd), and security elements, landed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Air Base at 8.30pm today.
The team was welcomed by Armed Forces Headquarters chief of staff, Lieutenant General Datuk Azhan Md Othman, during a homecoming ceremony.
Also present were Armed Forces Health Services director-general, Lieutenant General Datuk Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh; RMAF air operations commander, Lieutenant General Datuk Masro Kaliwon; and Joint Forces Headquarters chief of dtaff, Major General Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis.
Their return marked the completion of a mission to establish and operate the Malaysian Field Hospital, which began full operations on April 21, providing Level 2 medical services to communities affected by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28.
The quake struck Sagaing and five other regions at 12.50pm local time and was followed by a powerful 6.4-magnitude aftershock that was felt in neighbouring countries, including Thailand.
The team was led by Colonel Dr Ahmad Farhan Ahmad Fuad, who commanded the operation from Sagaing, where the field hospital was constructed and operated with the support of the RMAF's Airbus A400M aircraft for logistical and medical deployment.
Throughout the mission, the field hospital treated 3,562 patients and conducted 493 surgical procedures, delivering vital healthcare services to disaster-stricken communities.
Azhan said the success of Op Starlight III reflected Malaysia's strong commitment to humanitarian efforts and regional solidarity.
"This mission demonstrates our readiness and capability to respond to regional humanitarian crises. It also reflects the priority placed by the Armed Forces Chief on strengthening defence diplomacy and military cooperation," he said.
He added that the Armed Forces' involvement in Myanmar provided tangible humanitarian support while showcasing Malaysia's capabilities in regional and international disaster response, in line with its commitment to upholding Asean unity and prosperity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt committed to retaining doctors amid S'pore recruitment drive
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said positions are being filled once vacancies arise. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : The health ministry remains committed to retaining doctors and healthcare workers in Malaysia although it has no legal power to stop them from working abroad, its minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad said. He said the ministry is taking steps to encourage doctors to remain in the system, including accelerating the appointment of contract doctors to permanent positions in light of the country's critical need for medical professionals. 'We are not delaying (appointments). Once vacancies arise, we will move to fill them with existing contract staff,' he said in response to reports that Singapore is actively recruiting Malaysian doctors with attractive salary packages. 'We cannot stop cross-border recruitment; it is an individual's right. This is also in line with the Asean Mutual Recognition Arrangement and the Asean Framework Agreement on Services, which allow labour mobility. 'However, we want our doctors, specialists, and nurses with advanced training to stay with us.' Dzulkefly said the contract system was introduced in response to an oversupply of medical graduates and limited permanent positions over the past decade. However, he said, this is no longer the case as the number of medical graduates has decreased significantly, and the ministry now has more room for permanent appointments. Separately, Dzulkefly said his ministry remains committed to improving the working environment in the local healthcare sector to prevent talent from leaving the country. He added that stricter internal guidelines and ongoing investigations are being enforced to address burnout and workplace harassment, while fostering a more supportive and sustainable work culture. A recruitment session by Singapore's health ministry is reportedly scheduled to be held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur next month.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Health Ministry can't tackle healthcare brain drain alone, says minister
Dr Dzulkefly says long-term solutions must involve collaboration across multiple agencies, as highlighted in an independent study by the SEG. – Bernama photo PUTRAJAYA (July 12): Addressing the issue of talent migration in Malaysia's healthcare sector requires a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, not just efforts from the Health Ministry (MOH), said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said long-term solutions must involve collaboration across multiple agencies, as highlighted in an independent study by the Strategic Engagement Group (SEG) titled The Future of Health Workforce in Malaysia. The study recommended the formation of an inter-ministerial Human Resource for Health (HRH) Governance Board to ensure sustainable workforce planning. 'This is not a challenge the MOH can resolve alone. We need the involvement of the Public Service Department, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Higher Education, and the Ministry of Human Resources,' he said in a statement today. Dr Dzulkefly stressed that the MOH is committed to strengthening the healthcare system through ongoing reforms in financing, and the adoption of digital tools, artificial intelligence, and other innovations to improve service delivery. He also noted that as Asean Chair in 2025, Malaysia will prioritise healthcare workforce mobility and regional cooperation through deeper engagement with neighbouring countries. His remarks followed recent claims that hospitals in Singapore are luring Malaysian public healthcare professionals, especially doctors, with attractive salaries. Speaking earlier on the matter, he said the ministry is taking proactive steps to encourage healthcare workers to remain in the public sector, despite having no legal means to prevent overseas job offers. Among the key initiatives are speeding up permanent appointments for contract doctors and enhancing workplace conditions to ensure a safer, more equitable, and supportive environment. – Bernama brain drain Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad health migration workers
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Malaysia healthcare talent migration needs multi-agency effort
PUTRAJAYA: Addressing the issue of talent migration in Malaysia's healthcare sector requires a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, not just efforts from the Health Ministry (MOH), said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said long-term solutions must involve collaboration across multiple agencies, as highlighted in an independent study by the Strategic Engagement Group (SEG) titled The Future of Health Workforce in Malaysia. The study recommended the formation of an inter-ministerial Human Resource for Health (HRH) Governance Board to ensure sustainable workforce planning. 'This is not a challenge the MOH can resolve alone. We need the involvement of the Public Service Department, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Higher Education, and the Ministry of Human Resources,' he said in a statement today. Dr Dzulkefly stressed that the MOH is committed to strengthening the healthcare system through ongoing reforms in financing, and the adoption of digital tools, artificial intelligence, and other innovations to improve service delivery. He also noted that as ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will prioritise healthcare workforce mobility and regional cooperation through deeper engagement with neighbouring countries. His remarks followed recent claims that hospitals in Singapore are luring Malaysian public healthcare professionals, especially doctors, with attractive salaries. Speaking earlier on the matter, he said the ministry is taking proactive steps to encourage healthcare workers to remain in the public sector, despite having no legal means to prevent overseas job offers. Among the key initiatives are speeding up permanent appointments for contract doctors and enhancing workplace conditions to ensure a safer, more equitable, and supportive environment. - Bernama
