Canadian, US armed forces medical teams work with Sabah counterparts for PP26

 By Olivia Miwil

September 6, 2026 @ 9:33am

Pacific Partnership 2026 mission commander US Navy Captain Robert Reyes (right) and his deputy Canadian Armed Forces Col. Alain Lafrenière (left) speaking to reporters during the Community Health Engagement programme at a mall. - NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL

KOTA KINABALU: Medical teams taking part in Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26) will work alongside Sabah healthcare professionals in clinics and hospitals throughout the two-week mission, focusing on the exchange of knowledge and experience.

PP26 Deputy Mission Commander Canadian Armed Forces Colonel Alain Lafrenière said the medical engagement was designed as a two-way learning process, allowing healthcare professionals from participating countries and Sabah to learn from one another.

"Our medical teams are going to be working with local professionals hand-in-hand, side-by-side to do care together and learn from one another and make Sabah a more resilient place," he told the media during the PP26 Community Health Engagement programme at a shopping mall here yesterday.

Lafrenière said medical professionals from different countries brought different areas of expertise and experience, making the engagement an opportunity for both sides to complement each other.

"We don't necessarily have the same amount of experience that people will have with malaria or dengue, because we don't necessarily have it in North America," he said.

PP26 Mission Commander US Navy Captain Robert Reyes said the mission involved personnel, mostly from the US Navy, alongside military and partner representatives from Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom, working with Malaysian counterparts in Sabah.

He added that the multinational mission aimed to strengthen cooperation and resilience through activities including medical, engineering and disaster management training.

Meanwhile, Sabah Armed Forces dental specialist Lt Col (Dr) Muhammad Khiratti Mat Zainal said the main objective of the CHE was to increase public awareness about health while providing simple health screenings in a friendly and interactive manner.

The programme also featured a blood donation drive in collaboration with Queen Elizabeth Hospital, with a target of collecting 50 bags of blood.

Visitors could also take part in interactive activities, including a spin-the-wheel game and other health-related activities.