In total, 512 Health Ministry personnel were on duty under three divisions, overseeing disease control, outbreak prevention and vector management.
KUALA LUMPUR: As world leaders gathered for the Asean Summit, the Health Ministry’s medical operations quietly emerged as one of the most vital yet unseen pillars ensuring the high-profile event ran seamlessly.
Health Ministry Medical Protection Unit deputy director Dr Muhammad Yunus Tauhid Ahmad said his team handled nearly 480 cases since the summit began on Oct 21, from mild fevers to minor injuries, all without disrupting proceedings.
“Our services cover everything from basic treatment to life-threatening emergencies. Everyone comes through us first, it is like a hospital front line.”
Two medical centres operated at the venue, one for delegates and another exclusively for VVIPs such as ministers and heads of state.
The VVIP centre offered added privacy and security, complete with CPR and intubation equipment, defibrillators and emergency drugs.
“So far, most cases have been mild… fever, cough, sore throat or stomachache.
“A few heart and asthma cases were referred to hospitals, along with minor falls and motorcade-related injuries,” Muhammad Yunus told theSun on the closing day.
Smaller medical posts were also set up at hotels hosting world leaders, all supported by 30 ambulance teams stationed around summit venues and hotels.
“Each ambulance has five medical personnel, a specialist, a doctor, two paramedics and a driver. Our coverage begins at KLIA and continues throughout their stay.”
In total, 512 Health Ministry personnel were on duty under three divisions – the Medical Team, providing on-site care and emergency response, the Food Safety Team, monitoring kitchens at venues and hotels, and the Public Health Team, overseeing disease control, outbreak prevention and vector management.
“These teams worked hand in hand with logistics and operations units across KLCC and participating hotels.”
From the command centre, ambulance movements were tracked in real time through the Government Integrated Radio Network to coordinate swift responses.
“Officers were strategically placed to remove patients so the summit flow was not disrupted.”
