USM PENANG, 8 May 2026 - A delegation from the Emergency Department of Universiti Sains Malaysia Specialist Hospital (HPUSM) explored opportunities for strategic cooperation with 96 Armed Forces Hospital (HAT), Lumut through a recent working visit there.

The special visit, led by the representative of the HPUSM Director, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Hashairi Fauzi, was among others meant to strengthen cooperation in areas of emergency medicine, pre-hospital care, and hyperbaric medicine.

Various activities were included in the visit, among them a courtesy call on the Commanding Officer of 96 HAT Lumut, Brigadier General Dato' Pahlawan Dr. Musa Kasmin, who also spent time interacting with the HPUSM delegation.

In his speech, he also expressed his openness to any form of collaboration in the future.

The visit itinerary also included a presentation on the operations and maritime military training of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM). The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the readiness of military medical teams in handling emergency cases in maritime environments, including the management of diving-related cases.

It also opened a space for bilateral discussions on improving training modules and sharing expertise between both parties.

In addition, a discussion session was held to explore cooperation opportunities in the training and development of military personnel, particularly in the provision of pre-hospital services and the management of emergency cases.

Both parties expressed interest in working together to design more structured and high-impact joint training programmes.

The visit was also followed by a visit to the Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Institute (IPBAH), where the delegation was briefed on the available hyperbaric facilities and their use in treatment and training.

In addition, the delegation also had the opportunity to observe other facilities around the Royal Malaysian Navy Base in Lumut, Perak that support military operations as well as diving and underwater medicine.

Mohd Hashairi Fauzi also expressed appreciation to ATM, which had previously accepted staff from the HPUSM Emergency Department to attend the 'Diving Medical Officer' training, which to date has been successfully completed by four specialists and medical officers from the HPUSM Emergency Department.

The bilateral discussions between both parties, which also focused on potential cooperation in clinical services, education and training, as well as research, are seen as capable of becoming a catalyst for the development of best practices in related medical services.

Also participating in the visit were Pre-Hospital Services Coordinator, Dr. Mohd Faiz Mohd Shukri and Hyperbaric Medicine Specialist, Dr. Mohamad Masykurin Mafauzy.

Overall, the visit successfully opened opportunities for closer collaboration with the potential to bring significant benefits to the development of medical services in both institutions.

Original Text & Photo: Emergency Department, USM Specialist Hospital, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin