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True Bruneian Qualities At RIPAS Hospital
By Ignatius Stephen

Bandar Seri Begawan - The lady was clearly in distress. Her worries were quite obvious as she peered down the gutter in the back lane that early bright morning in Bandar Seri Begawan. But many a passerby just hadn't noticed the situation. Perhaps they were too busy as they hurried past.

But wait, chivalry is not dead. Of that, I am quite certain. There is always a knight in shinning armour to rescue a lady in distress.

And, so, there was someone, not exactly a knight, neither was there shining armour of any sort. Because it was only poor me who thought I could help, limited though my physical prowess may certainly be.

But the problem presented was clear and simple. The comely young lady had dropped her gold pendent into the murky sludge. "It is a very valuable thing to me," she said helplessly, her eyes almost brimming.

"No problem," said I, springing heroically into gear. Then I got hold of a pair of plastic hand gloves and removed the gutter grill and sank my hand deep into the slime.

The pendent was retrieved alright. But something happened as I worked myself out of the deep drain because I accidentally knelt on the grill resting precariously on the outer edge and when it toppled over under my weight, down I went and there I laid, splashed in the mud.

I had landed mysteriously on my back with my hands and legs sticking out quite helpless when, this time, the situation was striking enough for people around to extricate me out of the hole.

There was a sprinkling of bank and other staff and there were the cooks from the restaurant who came speedily to the rescue. To them I am indeed grateful. I looked around in deep embarrassment. The lady in distress was, however, deeply impressed and that was the beginning of a most interesting friendship. But that is another story.

After having a quick bath and a change of clothes, I went about my daily chores that day. I had completely forgotten my descent to the gutter that morning.

However, later that day, I noticed a large swelling on my behind. And it seemed to get bigger every minute. I did not, for a moment, connect this phenomenon to the events of that morning.

And quite alarmed I made a speedy trip to the RIPAS hospital.

"Did you have a knock or injury any time recently?" the doctor asked. "No," I insisted innocently.

The medic was equally perturbed. And that was the time a number of doctors were called in to examine this strange rise on my behind. It looked quite menacing. And I was much impressed by the care and concern. Then I remembered. I must have looked a complete fool for not remembering my morning adventure in the muck.

The crux of the story is the degree of attention I received at the hospital. Our hospitals have come a long way.

The doctors, nurses and other staff were so kind and considerate. Their true Bruneian qualities shine right through each and every time. They are our real heroes. Their selfless sacrifice is an example to follow. They work day and night to save lives and to tend to the sick and alleviate pain and suffering.

To them, we owe a million thanks.

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