ASEAN Centre for Military Medicine opened in Bangkok

BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) - The ASEAN Centre for Military Medicine has been opened in Bangkok, tasked with coordinating military medical operations of 18 countries and supporting security and disaster mitigation in the region. Visiting ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan presided over a ceremony to inaugurate the centre at the Royal Thai Army Medical Department in the Thai capital on April 7, in which representatives of ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, armed forces chiefs, and chiefs of Thai and Russian military medical departments also participated. The centre resulted from an agreement of defence and medical authorities of ASEAN members, dialogue partners and Russia, with the belief that military medicine can support regional security and disaster-relief missions. The centre, equipped with facilities including a video conference room and secretariats of the 18 participating states, is located on the fourth floor of the command building of the Royal Thai Army Medical Department. The new centre is expected to also help expand cooperation in other fields in the future. Officers of the 18 participating states are scheduled to undergo training on disaster responses and humanitarian aid in Thailand during September 1-11, 2016. (TNA)