CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) --The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is hosted the fourth iteration of the ASEAN Military Medicine Conference (AMMC) on November 22 to 23 at the Crowne Plaza Manila with delegates from 14 countries across the world.

The AMMC is part of the Military Medicine Area of Cooperation under the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting-Plus platform. This year’s conference adopts the theme, “Challenges, Breakthroughs, and Regional Cooperation,” and hopes to build on years of collaboration in strengthening the capabilities of military medical services.

During the two-day event features plenary talks and academic discussions on the military medicine system, readiness, trends, and innovations the participants shared knowledge, best practices, and skills.

“The conference shows our dedication to augment our professional development through the exchange of recent and emerging scientific information on health issues of military medical significance,” said Brigadier General Fatima Claire Navarro, the AFP Surgeon General, and the current AMMC chairperson.

BGen Navarro also heads the Philippine delegation and is joined by BGen Edgar Cardinoza, Commander of AFP Health Service Command; BGen Venus Bajarin, the AFP Chief Nurse; and BGen Angelica Torres, Chief of the AFP Dental Service; among others.

Meanwhile, in his message to the participants, AFP Chief of Staff, LtGen Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, hailed the role of military medicine in the national security of countries faced with numerous disasters, calamities, and a pandemic.

“We recognize that formal gatherings like the AMMC are vital in fostering collaboration in the aspect of military medicine as neighboring nations and as brethren in the ASEAN,” LtGen Bacarro added. (afp/pia-ncr)