Four medical field clinics treat 93 ailing participants

Quratul-Ain Bandial, Amir Noor and Koo Jin Shen
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NINETY-THREE people suffering from various ailments were reported at the four medical field clinics stationed in the capital during the 27th National Day celebrations at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien yesterday.

Three of the patients were taken to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital for further treatment.

Hypoglacemia, dehydration, gastric pains, heatstroke, fever, vomiting, giddiness, asthma, headache and abdominal pains were among the most common complaints from the patients, mostly consisting of participants of the National Day procession.

"Many people didn't eat before they came to the padang in the morning resulting in low blood sugar and dehydration. Some people who suffer from chronic illnesses are affected by heat and crowded conditions. There are also some people who forget to take their medication," said Hjh Nora Hj Yusof, head of Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (Emas).

It was to cater for any potential medical emergency that the Ministry of Health (MoH) set up four makeshift clinics in the capital, one at the Taman, one at the Royal Regalia, one at the waterfront and another medical reception service (MRS) clinic which was run by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.The ministry deployed 202 medical personnel to ensure the safety of the public and 21,000 participants during the festivities. The nine medical teams that were stationed around the national day venue comprised 13 doctors, 45 paramedics, 60 nurses and 100 volunteers from the Red Crescent Society.

If a casualty were to be sighted on the field, the closest medical team will respond by extracting the patient off the field on a stretcher and taking them to the nearest makeshift clinic.

Hjh Nora said there were also nine ambulances on standby around the capital to transfer patients to the hospital if the need arises.

The air-conditioned clinics, housed in makeshift tents, provide a welcome respite for most patients who were treated on the spot by medical personnel. Most patients were given an oral rehydration salt to combat water loss while more serious cases are treated with a glucose drip.

A medical officer at the MRS Clinic, Lt Pg Hjh Salizah Pg Hj Ibrahim said they received two serious cases this year of patients complaining of chest pains. One recovered and was discharged while the other was sent to Ripas Hospital for further tests. Chest pains could be the result of lack of oxygen, so an oxygen-mask was supplied to the patient before he boarded an ambulance, she said.

Yani Norhafidahyani Juali, a student from Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School was one of the field performers who fainted before the main performance began.

"I had trained for a week for this event,"she said with disappointment. Yani told The Brunei Times she felt fine in the morning and was excited to take part in the festivities. "Then I collapsed. I lost my umbrella, so now I can only watch," she said, after spending two hours inside the army tent recovering.

(Above) Medical personnel helping one of the participants who fainted due to the heat during the national day celebrations yesterday.

(Center) One of the participants carried away on a stretcher to get medical attention during the 27th National Day celebrations at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien in the capital.

(Below) A girl gets help to get on a stretcher after feeling sick due to the heat during the national day celebrations yesterday.

Picture: BT/Hj Md Ali, Yusri Adanan

The Brunei Times-->Thursday, February 24, 2011

Peluang jadi ahli Bulan Sabit Merah

Oleh Suhaiza

Antara aktiviti yang diadakan Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah dalam pertolongan kecemasan.

Pegawai persatuan yang bertugas menerima kemasukan ahli borang.

KUALA BELAIT, 1 Feb - Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah cawangan Daerah Belait kini sedang membukakan pengambilan ahli-ahli baru bagi tahun 2011 bermula hari ini sehingga 5 Februari ini.

Borang-borang untuk menjadi ahli persatuan itu boleh didapati di ibu pejabatnya di alamat Blok 248 A1 Jalan Bendahari Kuala Belait, bermula daripada pukul 9.00 pagi hingga 4.30 petang.

Setiap pendaftaran hendaklah disertakan dengan yuran tahunan $2.00 dan mengisikan borang secara lengkap. Ia dibukakan kepada penduduk dan rakyat Negara Brunei Darussalam yang bermastautin di Daerah Belait berumur 13 tahun ke atas lelaki dan perempuan.

Antara syarat menjadi ahli adalah mereka yang belum menjadi ahli kepada sebarang pertubuhan dan persatuan sebelum ini dan ahli-ahli dibukakan juga untuk disertai oleh penuntut-penuntut sekolah rendah kerajaan dan bukan kerajaan.

Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah cawangan Daerah Belait kini mempunyai 13 buah unit di beberapa buah sekolah-sekolah rendah dan menengah kerajaan dan bukan kerajaan.

Pada masa ini persatuan tersebut mempunyai seramai lebih 200 orang ahli lelaki dan perempuan dan telah aktif melaksanakan beberapa buah program pada tahun lalu, termasuk merancang beberapa lagi program tahun ini.

Program ini termasuklah latihan kepada tiga buah badan beruniform Persatuan Pengakap dan Persatuan Pandu Puteri dan Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah pada bulan Mac di Hospital Suri Seri Begawan Kuala Belait dan juga lawatan ke cawangan Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Kota Kinabalu dijadualkan pada Jun nanti.

- Media Permata Online - Rabu, 02 Februari 2011.

Belait Red Crescent Association open for registration

By Suhaiza

One of Red Crescent's activities in emergency aid training. - SUHAIZA

The Belait District Red Crescent Association is now open for taking in new members for the year 2011.

Interested parties can do so by filling up a form and paying a $3 yearly fee.

The form can be taken from their head office at Block 248, A1, Jalan Bendahari, Kuala Belait not later than February 5.

It is also open for existing members to renew their fees for this year.

Membership for the association is open to Brunei nationals in the district including students of government and non-government primary and secondary schools in the district.

To be a member of the Red Crescent Association, participants, boys and girls and men and women, should be aged 13 and above and are currently not a member of any association or organisation.

The Belait District Red Crescent Association has currently set up 13 units at a few government and non-government primary and secondary schools in the Belait District and currently has a total of more than 200 members of various ages.

- Borneo Bulletin Online - February 2, 2011.

Red Crescent urged to take more responsibility

Chua Guan Cheong

BELAIT

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

THE Belait Red Crescent has been urged by the Belait District Officer to take on more responsibility during their visit to the District Office in Kuala Belait yesterday morning.

The visit was part of the non-governmental organisation's (NGO) plan to invite the District Officer Matusin Orang Kaya Sura Hj Tuba to become the society's Honourary Advisor.

While accepting the appointment as the Honourary Advisory, Matusin has on behalf of the Red Crescent of Brunei Darussalam, officially presented Chai Yum Fatt as the Chairman of Belait Red Crescent.

Speaking at the ceremony, Matusin reminded the society members that they must try to learn as much as possible from their experiences both as Red Crescent members and from their social lives, stressing that there were no shortcuts to success.

He also urged the members to continuously improve their knowledge on the job, and carry out their duties sincerely, remembering not the rewards that they maybe getting rather to concentrate on the contributions that they can make.

Speaking to The Brunei Times after the ceremony, the District Officer said that he wanted to see more youths getting themselves involved in the setup.

"What I hope to see is that they will be able to train more youngsters to take on more responsibilities. The youths are the future leaders and what we see today in them is the future of our country," added Matusin.

He said: "The NGOs should also take the initiative to help out in the various events, and the help by Red Crescent in the recent flood relief efforts will be a good example."

The visit by the Belait Red Crescent was also part of their plans to strengthen relations with the government agencies in the district with an eye on ensuring a higher level of cooperations in the future.


Belait District Officer Matusin Orang Kaya Sura Hj Tuba (L) receiving the certificate of Honourary Advisor from Belait Red Crescent Chairman Chai Yum Fatt yesterday. Picture: BT/Chua Guan Cheong

- The Brunei Times Online. December 29, 2010.

Red Crescent donates to Seria Old Folks Home

BELAIT

Sunday, January 30, 2011

THE Belait Red Crescent committee members contributed foodstuff to the Old Folks Home in Seria recently.

The delegation that was led by the Red Crescent Chairman Chai Yum Fatt saw the contribution of popular Chinese treats, rice, dried noodles, a Chinese hamper and several canned food for the residents at the old folks home.

The delegation also included a good samaritan, Chan Liong, who presented two whole chickens and glutinous rice cakes to the elderly staying at the charitable home which depended on public donations.

The Red Crescent committee members also presented ang pow (red packet) the old folks in the spirit of the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.

The society that was established in 1950 has plans to conduct more social work after the festive celebration.


Belait Red Crescent Chairman Chai Yum Fatt (L) presenting a red packet to one of the disabled residents at the Old Folks home in Seria while other committee members look on. Picture: BT/Koo Jin Shen

- The Brunei Times Online. January 31, 2011.