MELAKA, Jan 18 — The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Health Services Transformation Plan 2017-2050 launched by the Defence Ministry today will bring a major change to the national health service delivery system on par with international standards in the future.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the long-term plan was expected to strengthen cooperation between the two ministries thus creating more specialised areas such as diving medicine and aviation medicine that would benefit both parties.

"I would like to congratulate the Defence Ministry for launching the health transformation plan which not only benefits the MAF personnel as well as veterans but also a positive effort to improve the country’s health service delivery system.

"We believe this collaboration will ensure the welfare and needs of MAF personnel are taken care of and they will be provided services based on their needs,” he told reporters after the launching ceremony of the transformation plan at the 94 Armed Forces Terendak Hospital here today.

The MAF Health Services Transformation Plan 2017-2050 was launched by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. Also present was MAF chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

The plan which is implemented through the National Blue Ocean Strategy between the two ministries outlines six key objectives to empower the MAF health service delivery system and the public.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Subramaniam said the emphasis on the primary healthcare was important for the MAF personnel as they were the front liners who would defend national sovereignty and maintain peace.

"Healthy people will contribute to better productivity of the nation...for example, if military personnel adopt a healthy lifestyle, eating right and have the ideal body weight, they will be free from any disease,” he said. — Bernama