The army is re-organising its military medical teams in preparation for an Asean humanitarian assistance and military medical exercise which the country is holding in 2016.
A soldier checks a camera mounted on a military medic's backpack. When fitted to the medic's helmet, the camera provides a real time video stream of injured soldiers as they are rushed to hospital. The stream, transmitted to the hospital, enables medical teams to prepare the correct treatment. The device was on show at the Army Medical Department, which marked its 115th anniversary in Bangkok yesterday. Chanat Katanyu
Army commander-in-chief Udomdej Sitabutr said the Army Medical Department has set up medical emergency response teams in all military units nationwide to deal with emergencies and prepare for the Asean drill.
At least 18 countries, including all 10 Asean countries, will take part in the exercise, along with a Russian navy hospital ship.
An Asean Centre for Military Medicine will be opened at the Army Medical Department later this year, Gen Udomdej said.
One of the purposes of next year's drill will be to test the centre's ability to respond to natural and man-made disasters. It could also cover humanitarian assistance and local call-outs.
The army commander-in-chief was presiding over a ceremony marking the 115th anniversary of the Army Medical Department yesterday at the Office of the Army Medical Department.