Medical Teams To The Rescue Of N-Day Casualties
By Ben Ng

Bandar Seri Begawan - Fatigue, heat exhaustion and dizziness F were among the most common ailments faced by the crowds of spectators who came to participate in the Brunei Darussalam's annual National Day celebrations, medical personnel said.

"Normally for events such as the National Day, most of the drama takes place after the procession ends," said Hj Saidrani, who heads one of several mobile units stationed around Bandar.

He said that a lot of people came and complained of abdominal pains and dizziness, most likely due to the heat and jam-packed crowded streets. "For the younger ones, its usually heat exhaustion," he said.

As for the older crowd, he said that they usually suffer from diabetes and high blood pressure. "Those are the most common ones we came across," he said.

The mobile units are not only present during auspicious events, but during rehearsals too, said Hj Saidrani.

"During rehearsals we are posted near the padang, and there are special clinics there too.

Sometimes we get around 20 people coming to see us, which usually happens after the procession," he said.

In some cases, he said, they are also those who suffered from hypertension.

"But those who suffer from physical wounds are taken to the hospital for further treatment."

"We administer medicine for tho-se with abdominal pains, and those with muscle cramps are given injections to relax the muscles," he pointed out. Air-conditioned tents were also seen at several first aid camps around Bandar, which were used for those who suffer from heat exhaustion.

"We let them rest there," he said.

There has not been any serious case, Hj Saidrani said. However, he has also came across several cases where people fell into the roadside drains and had to be treated for flesh wounds.

"As a mobile unit, we're constantly on the move. After the procession, we're on the lookout to see where the most crowds are gathered. We currently have six mobile units stationed around Bandar."

Meanwhile, Dr Soe from the RIPAS Orthopaedic Unit related his first National Day experience being stationed at a first aid camp.

"Some of our common expectations are fainting and falling," he said. "Since there's quite a huge crowd, our patients usually tend to faint and then suffer from the fall."

He said the majority of "fainters" were young girls. "So far we've had three young girls who fainted and one elder woman," said Soe.

Soe reckoned it was due to the heat and exhaustion.

"They also come to the event very early without eating a proper meal. They haven't had any food and sometimes their sugar levels are low," he said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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