November 11, 2009 18:16 PM

MMU8 Vows To Offer Best Medical Service In Western Sahara

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The 8th Malaysia Medical Unit (MMU8) for the United Nations (UN) Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso), today vowed to give its best in the footsteps of its predecessors.

Lt Col (Dr) Mizalazrin Mdzlan, commander of the 20-member team, said they would fulfil their duties to the best of their ability and ensure that the country's good name would not be tarnished.

"The previous teams had been commended for their services and the great challenge is now upon us and if possible, we want to do even better," he told reporters after the sending-off ceremony for the MMU8 here.

Mizalazrin, a dentist at the Gemas Military Hospital, said that although he felt a little sad leaving his family behind, the chance to serve under the UN mission was too big an honour to pass up.

"I'm a little sad because I cannot be with my wife when she delivers our fourth child in April next year as the mission will end in May 2010, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice for the country and help those in need," he said.

Also in the team were a newly-wed couple, Captain Dr Hamidah Mohd Salleh and Captain Dr Nor Amir Zakuan Panizan.

Dr Nor Amir said that both of them were mentally and physically prepared for the mission.

"I have also received so much information from those who had joined the earlier missions, especially about the challenges that await us, to help us go through the six-month mission successfully and safely," he said.

Earlier, Joint Forces Headquarters' Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Datuk Jamil Osman reminded the team to perform their duties with dedication, discipline and professionalism.

"The medical and health services should be offered not only to the UN staff, but also to the local people who are mostly living under the poverty line," he said.

The MMU8, which comprises nine medical officers and 11 officers of other ranks, including five women, will be based in Laayoune, Western Sahara, from Sunday until May 15 next year.

The MMU participated in the mission for the first time in 2006, and its services comprise out-patient and in-patient treatment, emergency treatment, pharmaceutical and dental services.

-- BERNAMA

We provide (subscription-based) 
news coverage in our Newswire service.