BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday gathered at the Pusat Amal Cerah Sejahtera (PACS) health centre in Kg Subok to celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri with the patients.

According to the ministry, the open house celebration was aimed to raise the profile of PACS to the public and encourage patients to take part in social activities.

Dr Muhd Nurhasanuddin Kelali, the Consultant Geriatrician at PACS told The Brunei Times that the open house was aimed to show the health centre for the public.

“We don’t want the patients and the public to see that the centre as a clinic.

“Instead we want to give it a more homely feel so they will be more comfortable with their frequent visits,” he said.

He believes that patients will be more active during therapy activities if they feel more comfortable in the centre.

Dr Muhd Nurhasanuddin also believes that the theme could also encourage relatives and caretakers to assist in the therapy for the patients.

“We encourage patients and their caretakers to take part in the clinic to help the patients through various programmes,” he said.

He explained that PACS has implemented several fun programmes to assist the patients: “One of our programme is the fishing activity, the activity is used to help recover their control and eye-sight issues, while having fun, which is important to ensure they actively cooperate,” he said.

Dr Muhd Nurhasanuddin then explained that caretakers could also benefit from taking part in the centre.

“The centre has nurses, therapists and other specialists to help patients, and they are also there to help caretakers when facing difficulties or answer any questions regarding the patients,” he added.

During the celebration, the Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Md Yusof was present to handover the hampers to over 15 patients at PACS.

The permanent secretary, directors and officers under the ministry, PACS staff, patients and their relatives were also present during the open house celebration.

The Brunei Times