Malaysia to set up field hospital in quake-hit Myanmar

 

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan greeting guests at the Aidilfitri open house in Rantau. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The government is to set up a field hospital in quake-hit Myanmar.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had agreed to the matter at last week’s Cabinet meeting, Bernama reported.

Mohamad said the hospital will allow Malaysia to continue its humanitarian aid following the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28.

“A total of 84 hospitals there have collapsed and they require mobile operating rooms run by medical specialists.

“This is being arranged and we have asked the armed forces and the health ministry to discuss ways for us to transport the necessary equipment there.

“Myanmar needs a lot of medical assistance as well as water purifying systems because the water pipes there are broken and there is no water.

“They also need temporary shelters, namely tents,” he said at the foreign ministry and Rembau parliamentary constituency’s Aidilfitri open house at Kampung Tanjung in Rantau, Negeri Sembilan, today.

The field hospital will be equipped with more than 30 compartments, comprising operating rooms, X-ray facilities and ward space with more than 30 beds.

Mohamad said medical personnel, equipment and assistance, being coordinated with other Asean countries, would be withdrawn if their safety is under threat.

“That is our stance because we are there to help, not face risks,” he said.

Mohamad had gone on a one-day visit to Myanmar on April 5 as part of a humanitarian mission.

On March 30, Anwar said the government had pledged an initial sum of RM10 million in humanitarian aid. - FMT