The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) said on Mondau that its Medical Corps intends to work with South African trauma centres, such as the Johannesburg General Hospital. Trauma care refers to the treatment of injuries such as broken bones, damage to organs and heavy bleeding.

Opening a conference on Monday, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean said the 2003 fight against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) virus galvanised civilian and military doctors the world over.

'From our experience with Sars, it is crucial for cooperative networks to be maintained and strengthened at the regional as well as the extra-regional levels,' he said.

Mr Teo was addressing 600 military doctors and medics from 36 countries. They are here for the 18th Asia-Pacific Military Medicine Conference.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.