JOHOR BARU: Malaysia is waiting for Myanmar's approval to establish a field hospital to aid recent earthquake victims, said Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said the hospital will provide orthopaedic and trauma treatments.
“We will perform emergency surgery on victims with fractured or broken bones to reduce the risk of disability.
“The Malaysian Armed Forces is ready to deploy, pending a confirmed date and location from Myanmar,” he said after launching a petrol station under Boustead Holdings Bhd in Seri Alam on Sunday (April 13).
He added that 35 medical officers would be sent to Myanmar to work with international medical teams already assisting earthquake victims.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he proposed the field hospital plan during the last Cabinet meeting, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim agreed in principle.
Mohamad said the Health Ministry and the Armed Forces are responsible for setting up the hospital, which will have about 30 beds, operating rooms, and X-ray facilities.
