HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY
Brunei is free of malaria and other tropical diseases, is outside the typhoon belt, does not have volcanoes, is not prone to earthquakes, has a stable government, is a prosperous country and has a very low crime rate.
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The people of Brunei Darussalam enjoy free medical and health care which is provided via the government hospitals, health centres and health clinics throughout the whole country. In remote areas that are not accessible or access by land or water is difficult, primary health care is provided by the Flying Medical Services. Other than 4 government hospitals in each district, there are also 2 other private hospitals. The military has its own hospitals that cater for their own personnel and dependents. |
The largest and the main referral hospital in the country is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital which is situated on a 32 acre site about 0.8 kilometer from the heart of the capital. The hospital was officially opened on 28 August 1984 with a cost of B$162 million, is equipped with modern and latest advances in medical technology. However patients who require very specialised treatment are sent abroad. Expenses for Brunei citizens are borne by the Government.
The Public Health Services is the main division in the Ministry of Health that is responsible for providing community based preventive and promotive primary health care services in the country. Through its monitoring and surveillance activities and preventive programmes such as immunization programme, the country is free from major communicable diseases.
Under WHO International Health Regulations those entering the country are required to obtain International Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever vaccination for travelers coming from infected areas.
- The agencies, which made up this sector are the Ministry of Health (MOH), Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS) and other government hospitals/medical centers/clinics under the auspices of Ministry of Health.
- MOH has given further assurances that they have been adequately prepared for Y2K problems. The MOH Y2K Task Force held a briefing session to the Minister of Health on the 16th of December 1999.
- MOH have since completed the inventorising and assessing their medical equipment as well as replacing or upgrading the non-Y2K Compliance equipment and systems. The latest information from MOH stated the 2,238 medical devices at the various hospitals under the Ministry of Health have been confirmed reliable, safe and Y2K compliant. Only 12 medium risk medical devices remain non-Y2K compliant but will only be used for back up purposes in the event of breakdowns.
- Overseas medical centers where Brunei patients have also been confirmed as Y2K compliant.
- As part of their contingency plan, the Ministry of Health will also be setting up Y2K Control Operation Centres in the capital (RIPAS Hospital), Kuala Belait (SSB Hospital), Tutong (PMM Hospital) and Temburong (PIHM Hospital) to cater for any eventualities. The MOH contingency plan also include measures such as, to make key staff available in all critical sites and no elective surgeries on January 1st, 2000.
- The additional information gathered since the last report have reaffirmed that the Health Sector is fully Y2K ready (GREEN) as has been previously reported.
GUIDELINES FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
About these guidelines
In carrying out their primary responsibilities to patients, busy healthcare workers may not consider their health and safety to be the highest priority. Enforcing proper health and safety standards takes time and money, two commodities that are not in great supply.
This is particularly so in cases of accidental injury with ‘sharps’ (e.g. blades, needles) which has long been regarded as an occupational hazard in the health service. The majority of documented cases of occupationally acquired human immunodeficiency virus worldwide have resulted from sharps injuries.
These guidelines have been developed in consultation with members of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (see Annex 1) who are from diverse areas of the medical field. These guidelines are to assist healthcare providers to manage health and safety and to give guidance on developing the appropriate policies and procedures. They provide information and raise awareness of hazards commonly found in the healthcare industry.
Because of the diversity of activities found in the healthcare industry, these guidelines do not address all areas of the industry. However, all departments of any healthcare facility must have a duty to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their staff.
These guidelines serve as a reference not only to the staff of the Occupational Health Unit (OHU) but also to all categories of healthcare personnel, and is essential reading particularly to those who are very junior and inexperienced.
These guidelines will help to train and protect the most valuable resource of the Ministry of Health - its members of staff.
Dr. Hj. Affendy Bin Dato Seri Paduka Hj. Abidin
Director General of Health Services
Ministry of Health
Brunei Darussalam |
