MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX MEDICAL TEAM

As a member of the Australian Grand Prix Medical Team, I was interested to know about the medical teams and facilities in other countries, especially Malaysia, my country of birth. In Australia, the Grand Prix Medical Team is organised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports (CAMS). However, the Malaysian team is organised by the Armed Forces Health Services of Malaysia.

During my trip back to Malaysia in March 2004, I was able to attend the 6th Formula 1 Medical Seminar which was organised by the Malaysian Armed Forces Health Services. The seminar is held every year in conjunction with the Petronas' Malaysian Grand Prix with emphasis on the emergency management of severe trauma. Members of the Grand Prix Medical Team, Paramedics, St John Ambulance, Police, Fire & Rescue Services and anyone interested in trauma management were encouraged to attend the seminar. It was held over 2 days (16th to 17th March 2004) at the Concorde Inn KLIA Sepang and at the Sepang International Circuit Medical Centre. The seminar was officially opened by YM Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha, Chairman of the Automobile Association of Malaysia, and Major General Dato' Pahlawan (Dr) R. Mohanadas, Director General of Armed Forces Health Services. It was chaired by Brigadier General (Dr) Mohd. Zin bin Bidin, the Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Team. 

Day 1 of the seminar consisted of motor sport trauma management lectures given by various specialist surgeons and physicians, most of whom are members of the Malaysian military. Malaysian and Ex-Formula 1 driver, Alex Yoong, was also a guest speaker. Alex presented "Life of a Formula 1 Driver" and also talked about his previous injuries sustained during his motor sport career.

On Day 2, I visited the Sepang International Circuit Medical Centre where a hands-on workshop on trauma management was conducted for all participants. Skill stations included:

Colonel (Dr) Jaseemuddin bin Abu Bakar, who organised my attendance in the seminar, was very kind to show me around the Medical Centre. The Medical Centre's permanent building is located near Pitlane Entry, between the Helipad and the Race Control Building. It boasts impressive facilities such as a Treatment Room, two Resuscitation/Operating Rooms, a X-Ray room, a two bed General Ward and even a Burns Room complete with bath tub. I was fortunate enough to visit Race Control which has a very similar set-up to that in Australia. I also observed members of the Medical Team checking their field equipment, familiarising with them and making sure everything worked. I was particularly interested in talking to the doctors assigned to the First Intervention Vehicle (FIV) units. The FIV cars are supplied by Proton and are fitted with special Petronas developed engines, which I am told are not street legal! Like the FIVs in Australia, they are based at various points along the circuit. However, in Malaysia, they do not go on to the actual race track during an emergency but use the service road parallel to the track. Another big difference is the way the team is managed. As most members of the Malaysian team are armed forces personnel, the team functioned like a very disciplined military unit.

The visit to the Medical Centre was very enjoyable and certainly the highlight of the seminar. I would like to thank the Chief Medical Officer, Brigadier General (Dr) Mohd. Zin, for presenting me with a Certificate of Attendance during the closing ceremony of the seminar. Last and certainly not least, I would also like to thank Colonel (Dr) Jaseemuddin for allowing me to attend the seminar and for showing me around the Medical Centre.