My duty and line of work impact the whole community. I work behind the scenes, ensuring all the medical supplies are sorted. Part of the healthcare team, I assist doctors in ensuring patients’ treatment is never compromised. – Major Manvikram Singh Gill
They say not all heroes wear capes – and this one certainly doesn’t. This one puts on a military uniform instead of a lab coat and probably some comfortable shoes (sometimes). While it’s no surprise that those in the military are hailed as national heroes for their bravery and sacrifice, not all serve on the frontlines.
Behind the scenes, members of the Royal Medical and Dental Corps work tirelessly, often without recognition, ensuring that missions succeed and lives are saved. It’s about time they get the spotlight they deserve.
From Pharmacy to Field: Who Is Major Gill?
Meet Major Manvikram Singh Gil, 33, an award-winning military pharmacist currently serving at the 95 Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
Before becoming the first military medical officer to receive the “Pharmacy Professional of the Year” award in 2019[1], he was a pharmacy student fueled by a sense of greater purpose.
After graduating from La Trobe University, Australia, and completing his master’s degree at the International Medical University, Major Gill felt called to something beyond the traditional path.
Driven by a love for extreme environments and a deep sense of duty, the 34-year-old found his calling in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), serving under the Royal Medical and Dental Corps. For him, it wasn’t just about practising pharmaceutical care – it was about applying his expertise where it mattered most, especially during crises.
As the pharmacist, he becomes the key person on any mission. Pharmacists in the military function as medical logisticians and are essential to physicians and surgeons who rely on a wide range of medical supplies—medications, consumables like sutures and implants, and even lab reagents to treat their patients.
In many ways, pharmacists operate behind the scenes, ensuring every medical item is available, in good condition, and ready for use – most importantly, that nothing is counterfeit.
You have to know the suitable items needed in the field. That’s why pre-deployment planning always happens in advance, where we sit down and discuss with each specialist. With higher command guidance, we discuss as a team, looking into all aspects of it. – Major Manvikram Singh Gill
Major Gill further explained that his role can be divided into two phases: peacetime and wartime. During peacetime, he oversees the entire healthcare supply chain for an Armed Forces Hospital, managing procurement, storage, distribution, and disposal. This also includes supervising medical waste management, ensuring safe and proper disposal methods are followed.
Operating in unpredictable and sometimes hostile environments adds another level of complexity. The challenge, he said, lies in delivering the right medical supplies in the correct quality, quantity, price, and timing. It’s a responsibility that demands a rare mix of agility, precision, and leadership skills that are indispensable both on the ground and in strategic operations.
Six Months That Left A Lifetime Mark
Major Gill has been part of numerous overseas humanitarian missions, disaster relief efforts, and military training programs. But it was his role as the medical logistician for the declassified Ops Starlight-1 mission, where a field hospital was set up in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, to aid Rohingya refugees, that left a particularly deep impact.
In an interview with Wiki Impact, the modest hero reflected on the 2018 mission, describing it as especially challenging. The team was stationed there for six months, providing care for an overwhelming number of casualties.
The supplies brought from Malaysia – medications and consumables were only enough for a set number of patients over a limited period. The real challenge, he shared, was sourcing local supply chains on the ground.
Resupplying from Malaysia wasn’t cost-effective, so they turned to local pharmaceutical options, which had been part of the initial objective. That meant starting with identifying Bangladesh-produced drugs suitable for the refugees. To ease the process, Major Gill even took the initiative to learn the Bengali language.
The team made the strategic decision to evaluate all available pharmaceutical providers and select the best options for their patients, bearing in mind the local context. This was critical, Major Gill explained, because counterfeit drugs often flood the market during crises.
One incident stuck with him: he recalled trying to purchase normal saline, only to be offered repackaged plain water in saline bottles – a dangerous substitution for patients.
He emphasised how his role demands sourcing medications with the right quality, quantity, price, and timing. After all, “whenever they want to treat someone, the medication intended has to be available right on the spot—if not, then there’s no use.”
Bangladesh was certainly an experience… where we undertook many impactful activities as a team, and I believe talking about it has left a lasting impression on me. It was a memorable experience being there and making a difference in people’s lives, indeed. – Major Manvikram Singh Gill
Despite the immense challenges, the mission achieved remarkable milestones. Surgeons were able to perform laparoscopic procedures at the Level 3 field hospital – a testament to the Royal Medical and Dental Corps’ capability and readiness in the face of disaster.
More Than Just A Job: Navigating Military Healthcare Logistics
According to Major Gill, patients at Armed Forces hospitals differ from those treated in Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities. Military hospitals primarily serve active personnel, their immediate families, and veterans.
Despite the smaller patient base, Major Gill highlighted a critical difference: manpower. Armed Forces hospitals operate with significantly fewer staff compared to MOH hospitals. As a result, military medical officers are trained to take on multiple roles – often handling a wide range of responsibilities on their own, especially during missions.
When pharmacists are deployed, they typically work in compact teams, often accompanied by just one or two pharmacy technicians. Major Gill explained that this setup requires them to be ready for everything, from administrative duties to clinical care. While it may sound overwhelming, it reflects the high level of skill and adaptability expected of military medical officers.
At the same time, he stressed the importance of higher command guidance, teamwork, and collaboration across the broader Malaysian healthcare ecosystem, including intergovernmental cooperation and public-private partnerships.
Impact Beyond the Mission
“Be bold. Be brave” – that’s the mantra Major Gill offers to the next generation of medical professionals.
He encourages aspiring medical and pharmacy students, especially those interested in military medicine, to embrace change, step out of their comfort zones, and above all, remain resilient in the face of adversity.
He explained that military medicine is not for the faint-hearted – it’s for those driven by courage, passion, and a strong sense of purpose.
At the same time, Major Gill emphasises the importance of constant preparedness as a way of life in the military. Multidisciplinary coordination, frequent drills, and rigorous training aren’t just routine – they are essential practices that ensure readiness for any situation. For him, preparedness isn’t just a mindset; it’s a daily discipline.
Every mission Major Gill undertakes goes beyond his role, it’s about making a broader impact on the community. What truly matters, he says, is the teamwork and shared commitment to serve and protect.
In a world where we are involved in medical missions, like during the Turkey earthquake disaster relief or providing care for injured Palestinian patients, we don’t just go in individually but as a team… And I’m proud knowing that I’m carrying the Malaysian name out there. – Major Manvikram Singh Gill
Written by Noor Ainun Jariah Noor Harun
Explore our sources:
- A. David (2020). 28-year-old military pharmacist first recipient of top award in SEA. New Straits Times. Link
