His Majesty Pays A Surprise SARS Visit To See It For Himself

Bandar Seri Begawan - With the mystery killer disease Sars raging in the region His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei yesterday focused his concern on the nation's health facilities.

That happened when the ruler made a surprise visit to the Ministry of Health in Berakas and to the country's main hospital facilities.

His Majesty also visited the Anthrax Building where chemical and biological researches are being carried out. Researches in the classification of diseases are also conducted in the building.

The preparation of the Health Ministry on the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was the focus of His Majesty Sultan of Brunei at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.

The Director-General of Medical Services, Dr Haji Affendy who welcomed the ruler on arrival at RIPAS Hospital briefed His Majesty on the ministry's contingency plans on Sars.

He told the touring monarch that at the moment, four rooms have been allocated at RIPAS Hospital for Sars patients.

However, if there are more patients, the ministry will move them to the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong.

The Health Ministry has set up a special unit for Sars since the emergence of the newly infectious respiratory illness of unknown cause that is spreading rapidly.

The unit provides Sars screening near the Accident and Emergency Department. Here the screening will be carried out on suspected cases.

His Majesty then visited the Isolation Unit at the 4th floor of the RIPAS Hospital. This unit is for patients who are identified to have been infected by Sars.

Here His Majesty also witnessed a demonstration on the treatment of Sars and was given a briefing on the preparation of the Health Ministry to face Sars.

Health Minister Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abu Bakar and senior officials of the ministry also briefed His Majesty.

The Health Ministry has a vision to be a highly reputable health service unit comparable to other health centres in the region in meeting the demand of high quality life standard by providing socially, economically and mentally projective services, the Health Minister indicated.

His Majesty also visited the nearby Department of Scientific Services. The Acting Director of the department Awang Victor Keasbery briefed his Majesty.

These laboratories comprise of Toxicology, Environment, Narcotics, Forensic Biology and Documentation Examination units.

The main function of the Documentation Examination unit is to prove the authenticity of a document against fraud and recognise the sources of the document.

His Majesty also had a closer look at the administration, library, conference room, drug quality control laboratory, DNA laboratory, resource and development and teaching laboratory, and radiation and DNA facilities.

The Food Safety and Microbiology sections also came under His Majesty's scrutiny. The laboratory's main function is to analyse local and imported food to ensure that it adheres to the Food Act Regulations.

The goal of the Department of Laboratory Services is to provide clinical laboratory services on a timely and effective manner by trained and skilled personnel who are proficient, committed and of high moral value, adopting excellence in their work, using up-to-date and reliable high quality technology, the visiting monarch was told.

Pehin Abu Bakar in his speech expressed his thanks to His Majesty for his visit to the Health Ministry and RIPAS Hospital.

The minister said the visit shows the deep concern of His Majesty for his subjects.

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