HM questions healthcare services

His Majesty speaks with an elderly patient during an impromptu visit to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital

Nabilah Haris
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, yesterday questioned the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) delivery of healthcare services after learning about complaints from the public.

In his titah during an impromptu visit to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, the monarch said members of the public had raised concerns on the quality of healthcare services provided by MoH and the hospital, including the waiting time to see a doctor at the Accident and Emergency Department.

“What does emergency mean? Try to truly understand what is meant by emergency. There should be no issues of waiting a long time for doctors at the emergency section,” the Sultan said.

He added, “The same goes for patients admitted to the ward but are forced to stay for a night or more to be checked by a doctor. Is this considered good healthcare customer service?”

His Majesty said people in healthcare services must remember that patients are in pain, and that it is their responsibility to alleviate the pain and not place a heavier burden on them.

He added that a nurse who is rude is enough to add more burden on the patient.

This also include administration staff and doctors who do not show enough care to patients, to the point that patients’ emotions are affected and may result in more serious health problems, His Majesty said. “It is evident that healthcare customer service is important, especially in the way one speaks and acts,” he added.

Medical practices

The Sultan also expressed his concerns on promises some doctors had made to patients and their families on the former’s recovery chances. “Many have said that there are medical officers who can easily give hope of (survival rates) as high as 80 and 90 per cent.

“After hearing about the survival rates, patients and families did not take too long to decide and chose to proceed with surgery but once the surgery is over and the patient’s development is not encouraging, it is disappointing as the patient falls unconscious and eventually passes away,” said His Majesty.

The monarch called for stern action on such medical officers to prevent such practices from happening again. “This is not an isolated incident, many families had said they have lost a child, or their husband or other family members who were swayed by the promises,” he added.

His Majesty also urged doctors to give more medical advice instead of solely prescribing medicines. “In my opinion, a great doctor is not only good at prescribing medicines, but do not mind imparting advice as that advice is sometimes more needed apart from the medicine. It is an important step towards realising the Ministry of Health’s Vision 2035,” said the king.

Zika virus prevention

His Majesty also called for a more proactive approach in addressing Zika beyond issuing advisories, noting that countries close to Brunei have recorded cases of the mosquito-borne virus.

“They are worried, and by right we should also be worried since we are so close.

“There are no stern warnings or action being taken. We have only been adivising the public not to be worried despite the rising number of cases in neighbouring countries,” added His Majesty.

The Sultan said public adviso-ries were made, but more action should be taken, such as ensuring the country’s cleanliness to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

“Maybe we would like to blame it on members of the public who may be reluctant to maintain cleanliness. If there is any truth to this, I want to know what is being done to address this. Are any actions being taken?

“Are there any rules or acts to cure this illness? If there are any, what is being done to discipline the public? I want a response from the relevant parties,” added the monarch.

Achieving Vision 2035

His Majesty commended the Ministry of Health’s efforts in formulating the Vision 2035 strategy that carries the motto, ‘Together Towards A Healthy Nation’.

He said what has been written is excellent, but how it translates into action is important. “What we want to see is its implementation. It is not enough to be amazing on paper but it must become a reality that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“One of its main targets is good customer service. It is good in its language and no one can deny that but can it be done? If yes, then Alhamdulillah. This is what we want, which is not only have it written on paper but to carry it out,” added the Sultan.

His Majesty inspected the hospital’s facilities for about three hours during the impromptu visit.

He toured the Women and Children’s Block, Specialists’ building, Medical Storage, Emergency Department, Cardiac Centre, Sports Complex, the Acute Medical Unit, and RIPAS Hospital library.

The Sultan also took time to talk with doctors, nurses, patients and their families to better understand the hospital’s quality of healthcare services.


Sumber - The Brunei Times