27th May 2022 – This year, in conjunction with the International Nurses and Midwives’ Day, Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) in collaboration with the Department of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted its first International Nurses and Midwives Virtual Conference with the theme; Creativity and Innovation in Nursing. attended by more than 1,500 attendees from Brunei Darussalam and neighboring countries. The conference aimed to extend their knowledge and experiences on ways they have and could improve in nursing practice, adapting to any circumstances.
The virtual conference started with a welcoming address from the Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health, Brunei Darussalam. “The pandemic has undone in a matter of months what healthcare professionals took decades to build. Without dedicated teams of health care professionals, we would not have seen light at the end of this tunnel. At the core of those teams, I would undoubtedly say, are outstanding nurses and midwives. Let’s not forget, the pandemic may be a worldwide concern but, we also have other patients that suffer other conditions and ailments.” as said by Yang Berhormat Dato.
The theme was explored into three different perspectives which includes Clinical Nursing Practice, Leadership and Education. It was a great honour to have joined by remarkable speakers from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Philippines including local speakers from local Education Institutions, Government Hospital and Private Healthcare Institutions. Local speakers representing JPMC includes Ms. Salbiah Hj Daud. Deputy Director of Nursing, Ms. Chakkaravarthy Karpagam, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Educator) and Ms. Hjh Jerada Uddin Al-Raschid, Staff Nurse. Among other local guest speakers were, Ms. Chandra Devi Durairajoo, Director of Nursing of Gleneagles JPMC, Mr Sallehkamal Hj Baharudin, Nursing Officer Special Grade of PMMPMHAMB Hospital, Dr. Khadizah Hj Abdul Mumin, Senior Assistant Professor of PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Ms. Armah Tengah, Head of School of Health Sciences, Politeknik Brunei, and Ms. Hajah Kartini Haji Suhai, Nursing Officer Special Grade, Head of Nursing Administration, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital. An insightful perspective from our neighboring countries were shared by Mr. Christopher Soh Kok Keng, Assistant Director of Nursing, Lead for Centre for Asian Nursing Studies, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, representing Philippines is Mr. Neugene Rowan Cu, Lecturer, Far Eastern University, special speaker from Hong Kong was Professor Sally Chan, President of Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, and representing Thailand is Ms. Duangduan Bunyasartphan, Director of Nursing, BNH Hospital, Bangkok.
As the world evolved over time, Nurses and Midwives continued to adapt and learn new practices best suited for the current situation. With the mixture of experiences and ideas shared by the speakers, it helps the nurses broaden their perspective and generate greater ideas for the future. The event concluded with a video appreciating the sacrifices and hard work that all nurses have contributed especially the past 2 years with the pandemic.
Closing the event, heartfelt words was expressed by Ms Chung Yea Fui, Director of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, also as the Chairperson of this event. “The creativity and innovativeness that Nurses and Midwives contribute to better their practice is with an intention of providing the best care for their patient. This selfless act is the main reason Nurses and Midwives are the important aspect of healthcare.” As appreciated by Ms Chung Yea Fui. JPMC and MOH hopes this successful Virtual Conference has helped unlock a better future for healthcare.
