Starlight III Humanitarian Mission Team Returns From Myanmar

SUBANG, June 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Starlight III team returned home tonight after completing a 38-day humanitarian mission in Myanmar following a major earthquake there on March 28.

Two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) A400 aircraft carrying 69 personnel, comprising officers and personnel of various specialisations including the Forward Anaesthesia and Surgical Team (FAST), the Royal Engineers Regiment (RAJD), and Safety Team, landed at the Subang Air Base beginning at 8.30 pm today.

The official welcoming ceremony was officiated by the MAF Headquarters Chief of Staff Lt Gen Datuk Azhan Md Othman at the Subang Air Base, in recognition of the team’s dedication and sacrifice in carrying out the humanitarian mission under the Malaysian Field Hospital (HMM) banner.

Also present were MAF Health Services director-general Lt Gen Datuk Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh, Air Operations Commander Lt Gen Datuk Masro Kaliwon, and Joint Forces Headquarters Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis.

The MAF in a statement said Operation Starlight III was a manifestation of the Malaysian government’s concern and solidarity with the people of Myanmar affected by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Sagaing and five other regions, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock that was also felt in neighbouring countries including Thailand.

The humanitarian mission was led by Col Dr Ahmad Farhan Ahmad Fuad as the Operations Commander. It was officially activated on April 18 when the team was deployed to Sagaing to establish the HMM.

HMM began full operations on April 21, providing Level 2 medical services to local residents affected by the natural disaster.

During the operation, HMM treated 3,562 patients and conducted 493 surgical procedures, demonstrating the MAF’s efficiency and compassion in delivering emergency medical aid in disaster zones.

Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Farhan said HMM is a form of protection and an alternative option for the general public to obtain safer and more secure health treatment.

"The presence of the Malaysian medical team helped to ease the concerns of the local community who were previously afraid to seek treatment at public health facilities following the armed conflict between the parties involved," he said.

HMM General Surgeon Maj Dr Azrul Aminur Rashid Yunus said that throughout the humanitarian aid mission, the team faced various cases including emergency cases, semi-emergency cases and cases requiring early intervention.

"As for surgery, we performed trauma surgery due to earthquake injuries as well as special surgeries including cleft palate reconstruction, breast tumour removal and thyroid surgery," he said.

-- BERNAMA