KUANTAN, Malaysia, Aug. 5, 2016 — The 2016 Asia Pacific Military Health Exchange officially ended today after closing ceremonies here.
The conference brought nearly 500 senior military health officials from 27 countries to share experiences and strengthen partnerships during plenary and breakout sessions held Aug 1-5.
“I was especially gratified to see so many of our colleagues interact with each other,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Brian S. Pecha, U.S. Pacific Command’s chief surgeon. “We have taken the opportunity to prepare in calm so together we can respond in crisis.”
The exchange was a success in many ways, said Lt. Gen. Datuk (Dr.) Abd Razak Bun Md Yusoff, director general of the Malaysian Armed Forces Health Services, during his closing remarks.
Exchange of Ideas
“The results of what has gone on over these five days are very gratifying. We have enriched ourselves in knowledge, experiences, friendships, and also exchanged ideas for the betterment of mankind,” he said.
The 2017 Asia Pacific Military Health Exchange will be held in Singapore next May, officials said. The theme of that event will be, “Future Challenges and Collaboration in Military Health.”
The U.S. and Malaysian co-hosts conducted an official “passing of the flag” to Singaporean Rear Adm. Tang Kong Choong, chief of the Armed Forces Medical Corps.
“The Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps is indeed honored and privileged to be given the opportunity to host the 3rd Asia Pacific Military Health Exchange,” Choong said. “The Malaysian Armed Forces Health Services has set a really high bar. Nevertheless, my team and I will endeavor to build on the success and strength of this conference.”
