BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital yesterday celebrated 30 years of serving the nation with quality medical care.

In a ceremony at the Ministry of Health’s Al-‘Afiah Hall, Director-General of medical services Dr Hj Zulaidi Hj Abdul Latif said the hospital has made numerous achievements and undergone various developments since it was first opened.

He described the increase in doctors from 64 in 1984 to 397 in 2014 as a reflection of the significant development in services provided at RIPAS Hospital.

“We also feel proud of the increasing number of local doctors who have managed to become experts and consultants compared to a decade ago,” he said, adding that the amount of nurses also jumped from 572 in 1984 to 1,101 in 2014.

Despite great strides in achievements and developments, Dr Hj Zulaidi noted that the hospital encountered its fair share of challenges.

“With trust in Allah SWT, we will continue to move forward and strive to innovate and seek solutions to the problems we face,” he said, listing the successes of recent upgrading works such as the implementation of Bru-HIMS and opening of the Women and Children’s Centre.

He said these projects saw significant progress over the past five years under the purview of the current Health Minister.

“Alhamdulillah with a long-term vision, (the minister) also successfully ensured the future direction of this hospital through the holistic and comprehensive Master Plan to upgrade and improve RIPAS Hospital,” said the director-general.

In attendance was Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof.

The minister presented long-service awards to 206 staff members of the hospital. He also handed over proceeds from a recent Charity Carnival and Cycling Expedition to the RIPAS Hospital Fund and Patient Aid Charity Fund. A total of 79 sponsors also received certificates of appreciation for their role in the launch of the Women and Children’s Centre.

The ceremony included a presentation of prizes for a photography competition in conjunction with the opening of the new centre. Abdul Hamid Hj Abdul Rahman won first place, followed by Nordin Badaruddin and Mohd Khairul Hafizan @ Mahfiz Mahli in second and third places respectively. Also present was Senior Special Duties Officer Hj Mahrub Hj Murni and Deputy Permanent Secretary of Administration and Finance Hjh Siti Mariam Hj Mohd Jaafar.

The Brunei Times