The global significance of the initiatives under the 17th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Military Medicine (EWG on MM) meeting and the shared commitment to deeper international collaborations, especially with entities like the United Kingdom (UK) observing the initiatives, reflects the group’s broadening global footprint and the increasing recognition of its work.
Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Haji Adi Ihram bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud said this at the 17th ADMM-Plus EWG on MM meeting at the Goldstone Ballroom, The Centrepoint Hotel yesterday.
The meeting was co-chaired by Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Chief Medical Officer Colonel (Dr) Haji Mohd Hafizul bin Haji Mohd Hassan and Director General of Operational Health, Joint Health Command of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Brigadier Isaac Seidl. The meeting commenced yesterday and continues today.
The meeting was physically attended by representatives from ADMM-Plus countries, the ASEAN Centre of Military Medicine (ACMM) as well as the ASEAN Secretariat. There were also representatives from ADMM-Plus countries attending virtually.
The 17th ADMM-Plus EWG on MM meeting was conducted as a final planning conference (FPC) to finalise the coordination of the cycle’s project-based activity which is the project-based community medical deployment (PCMD)/medical aid provision (MAP). The PCMD/MAP is a coordinated deployment of contributing ADMM-Plus countries to four barangays within the General Tinio Municipality in the Philippines.
The barangays have been identified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and will receive voluntary contributions from the ADMM-Plus countries.
The civil-military engagement aims to utilise various existing frameworks such as the ACMM, Logistics Support Framework (LSF) and the Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations (SASOP). It is hoped that the endeavour will enhance the health provisions of the four barangays.
PCMD/MAP is scheduled to take place from October 14 to 27.
Since its establishment in 2010, the EWG on MM has exhibited effort in strengthening cooperation, interoperability and coordination among the military medical services of the 18 ADMM-Plus countries as envisaged by the ADMM-Plus leaders.
It is an aspiration to continue to grow the ADMM-Plus’ capacity and capability as the EWG on MM strives to provide regional peace and health security.
