Brunei - HRH opens National Isolation Centre

HIS Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, officially launched the National Isolation Centre yesterday.

The centre is one of the projects under the Ministry of Health's strategic plan and is part of the Ninth National Development Plan.

Built at a cost of $8,472,000, the National Isolation Centre is located in Tutong District near the Pg Muda Mahkota Pg Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah (PMMPMHAMB) Hospital.

The centre is equipped with medical facilities and infrastructure that meet international standards of infection prevention and control set by the World Health Organisation, a press statement said.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Health (MoH), the centre is designed to deal with a medical crisis caused by an epidemic of an existing or emerging infectious disease such as Influenza A (H1N1 and H5N1) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The centre will also ensure the safety, health and well-being of the citizens and residents of this country, the statement said.

Among the centre's facilities are a negative pressure system to prevent cross-contamination from room to room, a specialised isolation room and aeration system, an isolation ward and a triage area to determine which patients should be seen and treated immediately.

In non-emergency cases, the National Isolation Centre will be used for the management and placement of infectious disease cases, such as patients with tuberculosis (TB) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the statement said.

Upon arrival at the centre, His Royal Highness was greeted by Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof.

Also present to greet His Royal Highness were MoH senior officials and members of the executive committee of the National Isolation Centre.

At the start of the launch ceremony, the Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat were read out.

The Crown Prince then cut the ribbon to officially open the centre, followed by the signing of a plaque.

HRH then viewed an exhibition showcasing information about the National Isolation Centre.

HRH was briefed on the drill for a pandemic by Associate Professor Dr (Mr) Kenneth Kok Yuh Yen and then listened to a description of the National Isolation Centre's services and facilities by the acting CEO of the PMMPMHAMB Hospital, Sabri Hj Anuar.

HRH then inspected the centre's rooms and facilities, accompanied by the health minister.

The Crown Prince also visited the PMMPMHAMB Hospital, where he met senior staff.

The hospital tour started at the registration and payment counter and ended at the Pharmacy Services Department.

During his time at the hospital, HRH was briefed on the Brunei Darussalam Healthcare Information and Management System.

The briefing was delivered by Pg Hjh Saadiah Pg Muda Hj Hashim, the acting director of healthcare technology at the PMMPMHAMB Hospital, and Mohd Jamil Dato Gadong, deputy medical records officer.

At the end of the tour, His Royal Highness consented to take part in a group photo with the minister and senior MoH officials.

NURHAMIZA HJ ROSLAN

The Brunei Times