Myanmar asks for more medical assistance, support for recovery phase

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the matter was among those raised by the chairman of the State Administrative Council (SAC), Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, during his meeting here today in conjunction with a one-day humanitarian mission to Myanmar following the earthquake.

"The search and rescue process is over. Now is the recovery phase. Myanmar needs a lot of international assistance... after this, Myanmar needs the assistance of medical teams, equipment and medical facilities such as operating rooms and medical specialists.

"This is because 74 of their hospitals are no longer usable because the buildings are not safe to use," he told Bernama before concluding his humanitarian mission visit to Myanmar.

The humanitarian mission was also led by his Thai counterpart, Maris Saengiampongsa. Mohamad and Maris also held a meeting with Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Than Shwe.

Mohamad said Malaysia's task after this is to find appropriate steps to send a medical team to Myanmar after the search and rescue phase of the operation is over.

"There is a request from Myanmar for ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia, to send a field hospital and I have just spoken to the director-general of the Malaysian Armed Forces medical corps, Gen. Datuk Seri Zulkefli Mat Jusoh (regarding the matter).

"How can we send a number of health teams because Myanmar needs many surgeons, operating rooms and medical volunteers because they (health teams) have to operate under tents," he said, describing the situation in Myanmar as quite critical.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said Aung Hlaing and Than Shwe also expressed their appreciation to ASEAN countries that were willing to lend a hand from various aspects, especially Malaysia, which was also described as one of the earliest countries to channel aid to Myanmar.

Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan state, Sagaing and Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar were among the worst-affected areas, as well as affecting neighbouring Thailand.

The death toll from the earthquake has risen to 3,145, with 4,589 injured and 221 still missing, as of Friday.