Kundasang: Emergency response capabilities at Mount Kinabalu have been enhanced through a strategic collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Sabah Parks, Wilderness and Austere Medicine Society Malaysia (WAMS), Wilderness Medicine Special Interest Group (MyCEP) and the Emergency and Trauma Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
This initiative involves the implementation of jungle medicine training in stages for Sabah Parks staff including mountain guides, rangers and water rescuers.
The programme begins with the Wilderness Basic Life Support course before continuing with Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Advanced First Aid and Wilderness First Responder.
This training emphasises practical skills in managing emergencies in remote areas far from medical facilities.
Kinabalu Parks Senior Assistant Director Justinus Guntabid said the increase in the number of climbers and tourists each year makes this training very important.
He said most of the injuries that occurred involved muscle strains, sprains and broken bones, but serious cases such as extreme fatigue, high altitude sickness, hypothermia, allergic reactions and heart attacks were also recorded.
According to him, early preparation and a well-organized field medical system can save lives and speed up the evacuation process.
WAMS Malaysia’s forest medicine doctor, Dr Muhamad Na’im Ab Razak, explained that forest medicine plays a role in dealing with emergencies that occur outside the hospital environment, often beyond the “golden hour” of treatment.
He said that successful rescue in such an environment depends on patient assessment, early stabilization and the application of the principles of Prolonged Field Treatment.
According to him, this training equips Sabah Parks staff with essential skills to increase the chances of survival of victims in remote areas.
Meanwhile, UMS Program Director, Associate Professor Dr Fairrul Kadir said that the university is developing a teleconsultation platform that allows rescue teams at Panalaban or high-altitude posts to connect directly with emergency medical specialists in real time.
Through this system, rescuers can receive treatment guidance and evacuation support.
He said that data from Sabah Parks showed several types of major injuries and diseases that contribute to evacuation difficulties and deaths, and that the party is committed to finding solutions through research and innovation.
UMS forest medicine expert, Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Hamim, said that this project also leverages technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to help make real-time decisions, analyze data and strengthen communication during rescue missions.
According to him, the future of forest medicine in Malaysia lies in the combination of human experience and intelligent systems to improve safety and operational effectiveness.
The first Wilderness Basic Life Support course under this program was successfully conducted on 5 November 2025 at Kinabalu Park.
A total of 30 participants consisting of park officers, mountain guides, rangers, water rescuers and support staff underwent training that covered topics such as heart attacks in the jungle, basic life support techniques, management of high altitude illness, hypothermia prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the development of forest medicine in Sabah and is expected to become a model for similar programs throughout Malaysia.
It proves that when knowledge, training and collaboration come together, lives can be saved — and Mount Kinabalu continues to be a symbol of resilience, preparedness and unity.
