Dr Dk Siti Nur’Ashikin Pg DP Hj Tengah, Director of Brunei Neuroscience Stroke & Rehabilitation Centre and a Consultant Neurologist speaking to the media during the press conference last Friday at Pantai Jerudong Special Centre

The 13th July 2018 marks the historic occasion of the first mechanical thrombectomy (clot removal) for stroke to be successfully executed in Brunei. The procedure was carried out on a 33-year-old male patient, Mr Hii Hin Chung, in a collaborative effort between the Brunei Neuroscience Stroke & Rehabilitation Centre (BNSRC) and the Radiology Department of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Ministry of Health.

Stroke occurs as a result of lack of blood flow to an area of the brain either due to a blockage from a clot (ischaemic stroke) or through bleeding into the brain (haemorrhagic stroke). The main risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, smoking and family history.

Stroke (or cerebrovascular diseases) has been recorded as the 4th leading cause of death in Brunei Darussalam (after cancer, heart disease and diabetes mellitus) from 2012-2016 according to national health statistics published by the Ministry of Health. In 2016, stroke accounted for 7.5% of all deaths in the country. However perhaps of even greater significance is the impact caused by disability as a result of the stroke. This could include weakness of limbs, loss or impairment of speech. The resultant disability is evident in the burden of care as well as loss of employment/income either through having the stoke or being the stroke carer.

According to the Director of BNSRC, Dr Dk Siti Nur’Ashikin Pg DP Hj Tengah who is also a Consultant Neurologist, “… the impact of stroke not just on the individual but also the community should be taken very seriously …. Whilst we always advocate for stroke prevention, once a stroke has happened, I urge patients to attend hospital Emergency Department as soon as possible because the faster we are able to treat a stroke the more likely our treatment will be effective ….. Treatment decisions do depend on stroke type but thrombectomy offers an exciting, new option for stroke treatment that can significantly reduce not just death but also disability.”

Mr Hii Hin Chung (3rd from left) went through a clot removal procedure

Image of the blood clot of the patient that was removed

Mr Hii, a car parts salesman, was discovered at 2.30pm on 13th July 2018 by work colleagues and found to have left-sided weakness. He was brought to the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital by ambulance and was subsequently transferred to BNSRC where scans confirmed a stroke on the right side of his brain. Clot-busting treatment (thrombolysis) was given with good effect initially however there was concern that his brain scan showed a blockage to blood flow. The patient was escorted to RIPAS Hospital by Dr Chan Guan Choon, Neurology Medical Officer at BNSRC who reported that Mr Hii’s speech was slurred and his left arm and leg were both weak.

At the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital Mr Hii underwent angiography carried out by Dr Sankarakumar Sambandamurthy, Consultant Radiologist, assisted by Dr Lim Kian Chai, Consultant Radiologist and Head of the Department of Radiology. They identified a long clot which they were able to extract using a special suction device.

Mr Hii was then transferred back to BNSRC where he was monitored initially on the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit before being moved to the Neurology Ward for further treatment and rehabilitation. Mr Hii made a good recovery and on discharge he was able to manipulate objects with his left hand well and was able to walk independently. He continues to have outpatient rehabilitation and will be followed up in the Neurology Clinic.

The Director of BNSRC, Dr Dk Siti Nur’Ashikin Pg DP Hj Tengah went on to say “This is a great example of successful stroke treatment through early action, skilled workforce and good cooperation between healthcare institutions in Brunei Darussalam …. we are extremely grateful to the Government of His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam for supporting such endeavours that directly benefit patients needing treatment for stroke”.

BNSRC and the Ministry of Health continue to work closely together in efforts to combat stroke and later this year plan to launch a campaign targeted at stroke prevention as well as treating stroke early.

Key messages:
1. You can reduce your risk of stroke by stopping smoking and by having your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol checked and treated if the levels are high.
2. Stroke is largely treatable — but you have to get help fast. If you spot F(ace drooping), A(rm weakness) or S(peech difficulty), it’s T(ime to call 991). To learn more about the warning signs of stroke, visit StrokeAssociation.org

Guest of honour Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Permanent Secretary (Performance) at the Ministry of Finance, who is also one of Perbadanan TAIB’s Board of Directors, handing over medical equipments to Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health

Handing over of mock cheque from Insurans Islam TAIB and Darussalam Holdings

Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) handed over a number of medical equipment to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.

The event, which is an extended programme of the Barakah Bainal Anam Project, is part of a series of initiatives to mark TAIB’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. So do expect more events from TAIB this year.

The medical equipments were handed over by Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Permanent Secretary (Performance) at the Ministry of Finance, who is also one of Perbadanan TAIB’s Board of Directors, to Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

Apart from the medical equipments, TAIB’s subsidiaries also donated monies BND3,000 each from Insurans Islam TAIB and Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd. With these donations, it will lessen the burden of patients by providing medical equipment for use in order to improve their well-being and health at their own home.

The medical equipment included feeding pump, suction machine, oxygen concentrator and hoist, ripple mattress and reclining wheel chair.

Haji Mahmud bin Haji Mohamed, Managing Director of Darussalam Holdings receiving a token of appreciation

Haji Osman bin Haji Mohd Jair, Managing Director of Insurans Islam TAIB , receiving a token of appreciation

The reclining chair being donated to RIPAS

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Munim Pengiran Anak Tahiruddin, Managing Director of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® (centre) with Mohd Khairul Anuar bin POKPADPS Hj Hasrin the Chief Operation Officer of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital and Fairuz Ibrahim, General Manager of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® during the launch of the The Coffee Bean® outlet at RIPAS Hospital

Another exciting news for Bruneians! The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has officially opened it’s newest café outlet located at RIPAS Hospital. Coffee lovers can now start off their morning with it’s premium handcrafted beverages from The Coffee Bean® outlet at RIPAS Hospital located at the main lobby, from 7am to 11pm.

The official opening was held on January 23rd at RIPAS Hospital, attended by Guest of Honor, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Munim Pengiran Anak Tahiruddin the Managing Director of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® and Mohd Khairul Anuar bin POKPADPS Hj Hasrin the Chief Operation Officer of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital.

The official opening began with the recitation of Doa Selamat by Ustaz Hj Mohd Emmarul bin Hj Azamain from RIPAS Hospital, followed with a brief welcoming speech by the General Manager of The Coffee Bean®.

“We’re excited to share our premium coffee and tea product with the community especially for RIPAS hospital personnel and visitors. This will be our 13th outlet ever since the first opening of our first café at the Centrepoint outlet in 2002. We continue to offer the same great brand experience that our customers have grown to expect at every The Coffee Bean® café. In addition, It’s a real testament to the brand for 50 years old now; it is more popular and relevant than ever”, said Fairuz Ibrahim, General Manager of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®

The ceremonial opening was then continued with the first tamping of espresso shot by guest of honors Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Abdul Munim Pengiran Anak Tahiruddin and Mohd Khairul Anuar bin POKPADPS Hj Hasrin followed by a signing of certificate.

Liyana Latif, Vice President (Activities and Events), Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council said, “The Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and thanks for CBTL for choosing the council as one of the beneficiaries that is receiving donation under the Caring Cup Programme. We are very thrilled that CBTL is supporting our HIV advocacy and awareness programmes. Such initiative is highly applauded and other companies and private organisations should follow suit as being part of a responsible member of the community. The financial donation that we’re receiving today will be utilised for more outreach programmes and making our council a resourceful organisation. On behalf of BDAC, we’d like to congratulate CBTL on their new branch and we hope that CBTL will continue to support our cause and do keep us in mind in their future charity runs.

Handover of donation to the NGOs

I’m proud of you 🙂