By Liza Mohd
It was not your average day at Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Belait District.
Patients seeking treatment at the hospital were all smiles when His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam made a working visit to the medical centre in the heart of Kuala Belait.
Accompanying the monarch was the newly appointed Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof.
Following a briefing at the administration block, His Majesty took a closer look at medical supplies at the hospital's Pharmacy Section. Attending pharmacists reassured the ruler that the hospital has adequate supply of medicine and follows the right procedures when prescribing medicine to patients.
The monarch also toured the hospital's Basic Healthcare Services Section, which provides various medical services such as walk-in clinic, chronic diseases clinic, flu clinic, immunization clinic, nutritional clinic, health checkups, minor treatments and health promotion.
At the Accident & Emergency Section, His Majesty was briefed on how the hospital's staff deal with patients requiring urgent medical treatment. Following a visit to the hospital's flu clinic, His Majesty took a closer look at a 16-slice CT scan machine at the Radiology Section.
Donning a surgical mask, His Majesty also took a closer look at the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, where patients suffering from serious injuries or illnesses get highly specialised care.
After visiting several specialist clinics, His Majesty walked to the next block of the hospital to learn more about facilities and services offered at Obstetric, Gynaecology and Paediatric wards.
His Majesty's visit brought smiles to children and new mothers at these wards.
The ruler also took a closer look at the Neo-Natal Ward to learn more about the hospital's capabilities in treating premature newborn babies.
At the hospital's dental ward, His Majesty was briefed by Medical Officer Dr Ang Swee Hui before moving on to the hospital's dialysis centre for renal patients in Belait District.
The new dialysis centre in Belait commenced operations last year. In the past, renal patients in the district had to travel up to the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, for their treatment. Belait currently has 48 renal patients and the number is expected to increase annually.
At the end of the visit, His Majesty signed a plaque and consented to have a group photo taken with medical officers and staff.
His Majesty's working visit to Suri Seri Begawan Hospital reflects the monarch's care and concern for the rakyat (people).
- Borneo Bulletin
(7th July 2010)
