A TOTAL of 14,000 tonnes of medical supplies were flown to the new Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) field hospital in Tawau, Sabah this morning.

Armed Forces Health Services Division director-general Lt-Gen Dr Md Amin Muslan said onboard the MAF Airbus A400M aircraft were also 73 officers and personnel who will be on duty at the hospital.

“This is the first time we have collaborated with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to assist them, especially to allow the Tawau field hospital to fully operate in dealing with the Covid-19 situation.

“MAF, through the field hospital, will remain there until the pandemic is under control,” he told reporters when met at Subang Airport today.

The flight had departed at about 8.30am before returning with Covid-19 test samples from Sabah.

Last Sunday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the MAF field hospital was expected to begin operations next Tuesday.

The hospital is aimed at providing support by treating cases other than Covid-19, such as trauma and emergency surgeries as well as maternity cases and others.

Meanwhile, in Tawau, Field Hospital Commander Colonel Dr Shamsul Bahary Muhamada said a full test of the systems will be conducted on October 19.

He said the hospital’s readiness level was now at 70% and he expects operations to begin on October 20.

“Currently, layout work is in full swing, on top of preparation of equipment and supplies, which involves movement of medical facilities from the Bravo Battalion Company based at Lok Kawi Camp in Kota Kinabalu,” he said in a statement today.

In addition to this, he said the field hospital also awaits the arrival of its core team from the Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital, the Lumut Armed Forces Hospital, the Terendak Armed Forces Hospital as well as the Second Medical Battalion and MAF medical elements from the Peninsula. – Bernama, October 17, 2020.