JOHOR BAHRU, 13 April- Malaysia will send 35 medical officers from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) to Myanmar to carry out a humanitarian mission following the earthquake disaster that struck the country on 28 March.

Defence minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the deployment follows the government’s agreement in principle to set up a Malaysian field hospital in Myanmar.

"The hospital’s capacity and location would be determined later, pending approval from the Myanmar government," he said to reporters after officiating at the opening of a petrol station in Bandar Seri Alam, here, today.

Mohamed Khaled added Malaysia will also request cooperation from the Government of Myanmar to identify safe and secure areas for the operation of the hospital.

The hospital will provide orthopaedic and trauma care, and emergency surgery for victims with fractures and related injuries.

"The treatments are important to reduce the risk of permanent disability among earthquake victims," he added.