KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has reached its highest state of readiness to ensure smooth and safe health, medical and emergency operations throughout the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that 512 personnel from 30 hospitals nationwide, including three university hospitals, have been mobilised for the summit.
He stated that 240 personnel comprise emergency physicians, medical officers, assistant medical officers, trained nurses and ambulance drivers.
The remaining 272 personnel involve public health, food safety and quality officers according to the minister.
Dr Muhammad Yunus Tauhid Ahmad serves as Chief Coordinator while Dr Hafiz Syarbaini Mansor acts as Chief Medical Officer for the summit operations.
The team maintains responsibility for ensuring optimal levels of medical treatment, infectious disease control, food safety, and ambulance readiness.
MOH has stationed personnel at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which serves as the main arrival point for heads of state.
Two fully equipped medical rooms have been established at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the summit’s main venue.
These facilities function as mini hospitals with eight beds, patient monitoring equipment, defibrillators and emergency medicines.
One medical room is designated for heads of state and government while the other serves delegates and summit staff.
MOH strengthened public health control measures by inspecting accommodation hotels two weeks before the summit.
The ministry conducts daily food sampling and has declared the summit area a smoke-free zone.
Dr Dzulkefly praised health frontliners for serving tirelessly, responsively and professionally to ensure summit safety.
He called for public prayers supporting the smooth proceedings of the ASEAN Summit.
The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits run from October 26 to October 28. – Bernama
