Preparing To Beat Bird Flu
By Grace Jiu

Tutong - The Pg Muda Mahkota Pg Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah Tutong Hospital, which has been designated as the centre to directly manage any potential avian flu cases, organised a two-part seminar for the Tutong District's strategic parties -the police, Fire Services Department, Heads of Villages and Penghulus - involved in the action plans against the avian flu and a pandemic influenza.

The seminar comprised two talks on `The Role and Function of the Tutong Hospital in the National Preparedness Against an influenza Pandemic' by Dr Hjh Norlila bte Dato Paduka Hj Abd Jalil, Acting Director General of Medical Services, Ministry of Health and `The Avian Flu and Pandemic Influenza' by Dr Zulhilmi bin Pehin Hj Abdullah, Senior Medical Officer, Ministry of Health.

According to Dr Hjh Norlila, the Tutong Hospital will be the treatment and quarantine centre for any avian flu cases and it was chosen based on its ideal central location which is close to the highway.

Also, the particular structure of the hospital and wards make it relatively much easier to alter into quarantine rooms as the hospital sees a relatively smaller number of patients on normal days with comprehensive medical facilities.

Suspect human case(s) of avian flu being accommodated in the hospital will render it to be half-closed, whereby the presence of positive or confirmed human case(s) of avian flu will result in the entire hospital being closed, except for the Accident and Emergency Unit.

She added that should there be any case of avian flu occurring in the country, the Tutong Hospital will relocate its normal medical services and other patients to the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait, the primary designation or the RIPAS hospital if necessary, other health clinics, and centres.

The hospital has its own action plan which is a living document to be revised whenever appropriate depending on the situation. Also, the former Tutong Hospital building, which is not in use is tipped to be the next hospital to treat severe infectious diseases such as the avian flu.

Dr Zulhilmi advised the audience to avoid the dreaded contagious avian flu through hygienic practices and maintaining cleanliness of oneself, home residence and surroundings and farms, and ensure complete cleaning of oneself after being in contact with birds and the like.

He added that members of the public should avoid visiting bird farms either in the country or abroad and keep their own birds and the like caged up or in a coop.

He also said that children` should be prevented from being in close contact with birds and the like.

He advised that if one should contact flu of any sort, the individual should rest well, consume lots of water, avoid smoking and alcohol, and take appropriate medicines to alleviate the problem such as paracetamol, benadryl and Actifed.

If the condition worsens, one should visit the nearest hospital or clinic for proper treatment.

As a preventive measure, he encouraged members of the public to distance themselves from flu-affected individuals.

He added that if one is ill, the person should rest at home and avoid contact with other parties, cover nose and mouth with a piece of tissue when coughing or sneezing, and wash the hands and avoid touching the eyes, mouth or nose with contaminated hands.

The guest of honour of the seminar was Mutalib bin Hi Md Idris, District Officer, Tutong. Mohd Hj Abd Hamid, Acting CEO of The Tutong Hospital chaired the seminar.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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