By Goh De No and Fitri Shaminan

Bandar Seri Begawan – His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan set an outstanding example by getting his temperature scanned at the medical booths and wearing the “Flu Free” sticker visibly on the top left of his uniform during the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) 48th Anniversary celebrations yesterday.

The simple act of our caring monarch wearing the sticker shows his awareness about the seriousness of the Influenza A (H1N1) epidemic which has plagued the rest of the world.

In an interview, Dr Md Baharin Hj Bintang, Chief Medical Officer of the RBAF Medical and Health Services, highlighted the importance of screening visitors and personnel before they entered the celebration arena.

“This is done to tighten health security not only for H1N1 flu cases but also for ordinary flu,” he said.

He added that precautionary measures should not be minimised, people shouldn’t be complacent especially at a mass gathering like this,

“Screenings at both posts went positively and no “suspected” cases were reported,” he said.

According to him, the move was initiated by the RBAF as instructed by the executive committee of the anniversary celebration.

A group of nurses from the Air Force Medical Services stationed at the main post ensured each person’s temperature was scanned as they enter.

“Some have been difficult as they refused to display the Flu-Free sticker appropriately. They paste it on their backs, cover it with their shirts and even on inside of their shirts,” they lamented.

This just prompted them to get re-scanned which is troublesome for both parties, one of the nurses said.

Inside the celebration area, another nurse under the Air Force Medical Services, who wished to remain anonymous said, this is the fastest spreading flu in the world right now and should be taken seriously.

“We approach anyone without a sticker inside in this area and should their temperature appear to be higher than normal, our doctors will immediately check on them thoroughly,” he said.

As for the issue of people not wearing the “Flu Free” stickers properly, he said that it is hard to force people to use the sticker properly but the medical staff would appreciate it if the public would follow procedure better.

Others have also questioned the act of those who are not following rules by saying that “It isn’t difficult to use the sticker, there is nothing to it and it is for everyone’s safety.”

A private sector employee who wished to be known as Amin said, “It’s a good precautionary measure and it never hurts to be cautious, and praised the setting up of such a facility.”

Zaidi Jamain also lauded the flu screening area, saying that the armed forces were thinking one step ahead in the case of controlling anything from spreading. If His Majesty is following the procedure, why can’t we? Why are some still reluctant to do so? — Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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