Minister And Group Brave Floods To Visit The Interior 

Kuala Belait - A group of senior officers from the Ministry of Health, which the minister Pehin Dato Seri Awang Haji Abu Bakar led, braved the floods to visit Kampong Sukang in Ulu Belait in Brunei's interior yesterday.

Also with the group was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dato Awang Haji Zainal.

The trip to Kampong Sukang took about 25 minutes by helicopter.

Floods following two days of heavy rains marred the arrival of the visitors from the Ministry of Health.

But the Penghulu of Mukim Sukang, Datu Maharaja Setia Awang Mohd Simpok was present to welcome them.

The visit began at the Medical and Health Service for Kampong Sukang and Kampong Melilas.

The delegation also took a look into the activities of an induction programme conducted by the health ministry in which some 30 doctors and health personnel are involved.

The programme is one of a series of an annual project of the ministry for graduates and doctors serving with the ministry. The Ministry of Health will double positive efforts in rendering efficient health services to the nation not only to those living in urban areas but also to residents in rural places, said a medical official.

The medical service began its operation in 1953 through a mobile dispensary.

In 1964, the flying doctor or air medical service was formed headed by a government doctor and a midwife who originated from Kampong Melilas while the clinic at Kampong Sukang began its operation in 1980.

The purpose of the visit to Kampong Sukang was to have a closer look into the medical facilities provided by government health clinics.

Among the myriad of services provided include the monthly air medical service, outpatient service on land every third week of the month, children and pre-natal clinic, and a school health service that caters for 17 pupils in the kampong.

Statistics showed that about 50 outpatients received routine medical check-ups daily. From the health clinic, the delegation from the Ministry of Health proceeded to the residence of Penghulu Mukim Sukang, located at the Mukim Sukang Longhouse in Ulu Belait.

At this gathering the Minister of Health and delegation had the opportunity to get acquainted with residents of Mukim Sukang that make up of 413 indigenous people consisting of the Dusun, Iban and Punan communities.  -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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