The US government has donated Forward Anaesthesia Surgical Trauma (FAST) assets to the Malaysian Armed Forces to assist with disaster response. The assets were handed over during a ceremony at Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan on Thursday, marking the conclusion of Exercise Starlight 2023. The exercise showcased the country’s preparedness for handling medical emergencies and included a live demonstration.
At the ceremony, US Embassy charge d’affaires Manu Bhalla stated that the US and Malaysia have a long history of collaboration on public health issues, including joint work in Sabah to identify emerging infectious diseases. He also highlighted the US government’s funding of research in Borneo under the USAID’s global PREDICT program, which amounted to US$200 million over the span of more than a decade.
The Malaysian Armed Forces had previously utilized FAST assets during search and rescue operations in Turkey following an earthquake in February. Deputy Chief Of Army Lt Gen Datuk Muhammad Fauzi Tengku emphasized that the FAST team represents Malaysia’s commitment to international humanitarian efforts. He praised their capacity for rapid deployment, which enables the country to respond swiftly to international crises and reinforces its standing as a reliable global partner.
Furthermore, the team is designed to operate autonomously for up to 72 hours, showcasing Malaysia’s resilience and self-reliance in challenging situations.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
