Some 193 officers and staff from the Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday received Long Service Medals (PKL) for 2023 in conjunction with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 77th birthday celebration at Al-‘Afiah Hall, MoH.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar presented the medals.
Permanent Secretary at the MoH Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin and Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the MoH Dr Hajah Rafidah binti Haji Gharif was also present at the ceremony.
The ceremony served to express appreciation and gratitude to officers and staff for their dedication.
One of the recipients, Suri Seri Begawan (SSB) Hospital medical superintendent Dr Chong Chean Leung, said, “I have been working at the MoH since 2002. I have worked at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital and Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital, and now at SSB Hospital.”
He added, “I feel very happy to receive this PKL today and I am very thankful to His Majesty for the recognition. I feel that all my hard work and dedication have paid off.
“Throughout my professional journey, I’ve done general surgery and currently am in administration. I will continue to work in general surgery and develop services for the benefit of the country.”
His advice for others, especially new staff, is to “work hard and keep a lookout for new services to offer the country, and more importantly, ensure that all the patients are well looked after”.
When asked about why he decided to be a doctor, he said, “It had always been my aspiration to become a doctor to help people. I chose surgery because I felt that it was a good way to contribute to the health of the people and the country.
“I was also a scholarship scheme student to the United Kingdom and was sponsored all the way to medical school. I am eternally grateful to His Majesty’s government for the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Hajah Shukriah binti Haji Selamat, a nurse who has worked at the MoH for 26 years, said, “Alhamdulillah, I feel blessed to receive the PKL today in recognition of my hard work.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty. This will further boost our commitment and dedication towards serving the people and the government.”
On her work, she said, “Currently, I am working under the Nursing Training and Development Centre on Jalan Ong Sum Ping. The centre provides courses and counselling for nurses and clinical attachment students.”
Her advice for others was to “work with passion, follow instructions, and carry out tasks and responsibilities with trust and honesty”. – James Kon
