Medics Ready For Any Eventuality
By Finaz Daniel

Bandar Seri Begawan - The medical teams from the Ripas Hospital were in full force at the National Day celebrations held at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien for any eventuality. One clinic was stationed behind the band stand and 16 medical teams were at strategic places all over the town.

These medical teams were backed up by seven ambulances, seven paramedics with seven doctors and 100 nurses.

According to Hj Hamdan Hj Metassan, head of paramedics operations, the paramedics unit was better prepared this year with more equipment and staff. He said that the ambulance was equipped with oxygen, injections, medicines and a defibrillator machine. Heading the medical services team this year was Dr Ang Swee Hui, head of the Accident and Emergency Department at Ripas Hospital. In providing the best medical services to the public, the team had specialised doctors from general practice, orthopedic and paediatrics unit to better serve the people.

Dr Deepa Vidtit from Paediatrics at Ripas said that some ailments can be avoided by simply eating breakfast to avoid fainting spells and fatigue. "People should also carry bottled water to avoid dehydration," she said.

Dr Ang pointed out that there were people from different walks of life and different age groups in the crowd and also on the field and it is not only children who get sick or injured.

"We are fully prepared today, not only for small medical problems but also major ones," said Dr Ang. "We are ready for all the different types of conditions that may come up today."

According to the medical staff on hand at the clinic, the most common ailment to tend to during National Day celebrations was dehydration and heat exhaustion.

The plentiful number of medical staff make it easier and less exhausting for the medical team to attend to those in medical need, said Dr Ang. Performances are also fewer during National Day celebrations as opposed to His Majesty's birthday celebrations which means less chances of major medical predicaments.

The medical services team began preparations for the National Day with the start of rehearsals on February 2. According to Dr Ang, weather conditions were good throughout the entire rehearsal save for the last day when the medical team had to tend- to 31 casualties, most of whom suffered from heat exhaustion and vomiting spells.

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) also lent their services to the medical services team yesterday. The Medical Reception Station (MRS) set up one regimental aid post for primary emergency care equipped with two ambulances and two doctors and 16 nurses. Staff Sergeant Pengiran Hj Ismail Pengiran Hj Abas of RBAF Medical and Health Services was in charge of the MRS, which received some three patients complaining of headaches and flu.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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