Navy Medicine strengthens partnerships, builds capacity and capability at Asia Pacific Military Health Exchange

KUANTAN (TANJONG GELANG), MALAYSIA

08.01.2016

Courtesy Story

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

APMHE-16 is a multilateral event focused on global health interoperability.
This year's exchange is co-hosted by the Malaysian armed forces health services and the United States Pacific Command surgeon with nearly 500 participants representing 27 nations. APMHE-16 includes non-commissioned officers and senior leaders from all services and medical/health-related specialities and provides engagement and knowledge exchange opportunities to better prepare and respond to global health security issues.
"This exchange improves the responsiveness of all of our medical forces," said Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. "We come together with a shared commitment to global health and regional prosperity. It is a continuous endeavor to ensure our nations are ready to respond whenever and wherever needed. We must be prepared to provide the best medical care possible in the event of natural disasters or other events, especially here in the Pacific."
Medical and health care professionals representing the Navy and Marine Corps will share experiences and strengthen partnerships during plenary and breakout sessions throughout the week.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with our partner nations in the region," said Capt. David Krulak, a U.S. Navy physician and command surgeon, Marine Corps Forces Pacific. "It allows us to build relationships that are invaluable during humanitarian and disaster response events. Working together in times of calm allows us to be better prepared when crisis strikes."
APMHE-16 attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), which is in Kuantan as part the Pacific Partnership 2016 mission.
Representatives from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, United States, and Vietnam are participating.
Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 personnel that provides health care support to the U. S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational tempo environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.

• Date Taken: 08.01.2016
• Date Posted: 08.01.2016 22:08
• Story ID: 205753
• Location: KUANTAN (TANJONG GELANG), MY