US navy personnel visit hospital patients

KOTA KINABALU: Members of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) and the United States Seventh Fleet visited Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1 as part of the armed forces’ community project.

Diving medical assistant Almudi Eskal said the visit was part of the TLDM Jiwa Murni initiative, to foster bonds between navy personnel and civilians.

The collaboration with the US Navy is also seen as integration and cooperation between the armed forces, he added.

“This is a way for us to build a good relationship not only with the US Navy but also civilians, in this case hospital patients.

“Today’s visit is the first under our Jiwa Murni programme this year and there will be more to come in following months,” he said.

Seventh Fleet religious program manager Chief Nino Miranda said the community relationship project is an initiative for the fleet to execute during each port visit.

It enhances the fleet’s public image by exposing locals to what they do, he said, adding it helps them foster friendship with the community.

“For us, it’s also a way to give back to the community. It’s very humbling to be able to help out.

“We also have with us our Seventh Fleet band, which plays for the public to build friendship with locals.

“After this hospital visit, we will be visiting an orphanage to spend time with the kids there, mentor them and coach them, play sports with them and do some colouring,” said Nino.

The navy personnel visited patients and distributed packages of toiletries and personal care products, while the Seventh Fleet band performed.

Almudi (front, second left) and Nino (standing, left) with navy personnel during their visit to Queen Elizabeth Hospital yesterday.

Nino (second right) and navy personnel with a patient who received a package of personal care products.