BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

MORE than 1,600 surgeries that deal with the musculoskeletal system are performed in Brunei each year, said the head of Orthopaedic Department of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.

Abdul Rashid Hj Mohammad, who is also president of Orthopaedic Society Brunei Darussalam, yesterday said over 2,000 admissions are registered with the Orthopaedic Department each year.

During the Second Brunei Biennial Orthopaedic Scientific Conference at The Empire Hotel & Country Club, the permanent secretary of health, Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Norlila Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Jalil said most orthopaedic surgeries are now performed in Brunei.

She said procedures that are being performed locally included joint replacement, knee and hip surgeries, sports-related injuries and the management of acute trauma cases.

“From a relatively small (orthopaedics) department comprising a few doctors who branched out from general surgery, the department is now fully established with teams specialising in various sub-specialties, performing round-the-clock surgeries and having spread their tentacles across the country,” she said.

“Treatment of tendon injuries of the shoulder and injuries of the knee required open procedures warranting longer stay and prolonged recovery times in the past - but with the current advent of arthroscopic surgeries of the shoulder and knee - these procedures now enable the patient to return home less than two days,” she added.

She also called on all heads of departments to collaborate with one another in ensuring communication is always open and effective to strengthen teamwork and provide quality healthcare services. The permanent secretary added that multi-disciplinary teamwork in the sultanate and the region is essential to quality care.

Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Norlila hoped the seminar would enable the sharing of knowledge and to draw out plans including the training of specialists while encouraging the Orthopaedic Department to participate in more workshops, conferences and other educational activities in ASEAN.

During the seminar, a keynote address on ‘Staying in Motion – The Key to Good Health’ was presented by Orthopaedic Surgeon from RIPAS Hospital Hj Ian Geoffrey Stewart, who is also the secretary of Orthopaedic Society Brunei Darussalam.

A total of 13 speakers from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore were invited to talk on orthopaedic-related issues, with over 230 participants comprising doctors, allied health professionals and nurses attending the meeting at The Empire Hotel & Country Club.

The Brunei Times