| Danial Norjidi |
THE Brunei Neuroscience Stroke and Rehabilitation Centre (BNSRC), Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) hosted a Stroke Awareness Roadshow at Times Square Shopping Centre, Berakas yesterday.
The event was held in conjunction with World Stroke Day, celebrated annually on October 29.
BNSRC aims to raise awareness on the fourth top killer disease and a leading cause of disability in Brunei Darussalam, a press release stated.
BNSRC hopes this event will help the public to learn about stroke prevention, immediate stroke detection with ‘BE FAST’ (Balance, Eye, Face, Arm, Speech & Time) and the action in the event of a stroke.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar was in attendance to support stroke awareness as an important public health issue in keeping with the Ministry of Health’s commitment to reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The proceedings began with welcoming remarks by Director at the BNSRC Dr Dayangku Hajah Siti Nur’Ashikin binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Tengah.
She noted that this is the first time that such an event has been held in Brunei Darussalam.
“We have a varied and interactive exhibition here at Times Square today,” she said, expressing her hope that guests and members of the public would stop by all of the booths.
She shared that the exhibition and campaign souvenirs highlight the ‘BE FAST’ acronym to identify a possible stroke through recognising impairment of Balance, Eye, Face, Arm, Speech and through Timely response by coming to hospital immediately or by calling 991.
The event was officially launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Minister of Health and the Director at the BNSRC.
Featured at the Stroke Awareness Roadshow were various interactive booths from nurses and allied health professionals from the BNSRC, the Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Gleneagles JPMC, and Takaful Brunei Keluarga Sdn Bhd (TBK) which included health and educational activities, various fun and engaging activities surrounding the early detection and prevention theme.
People attending the event received exclusive giveaways by participating in the games and activities from each booth.
There were also scheduled programmes throughout the day, including a public forum hosted by Rehabilitation Medicine Consultant from the BNSRC Dr Abang Fahmy bin Haji Hepnie with current stroke patients to share their inspirational journeys to recovery.
In addition, a talk on performing religious duties after a stroke was given by representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Children also had the opportunity to take part in a colouring session organised by the Health Promotion Centre.
The event was supported by the Ministry of Health, Takaful Brunei Keluarga Sdn Bhd, Royal Brunei Catering Sdn Bhd, Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, Medipharm Sdn Bhd, Aesthetics Medident Enterprise, Mewah Berjaya Contractor, Asterix United (B) Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Pakatan Indah, and Cathay Scientific Instrument Co Sdn Bhd.