James Kon
The importance of first aid was highlighted in an event organised by Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) with support from the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BRC) yesterday at BIBD Connect, Bandar Seri Begawan in conjunction with World First Aid Day.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar officiated the event. Also in attendance was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin as well as BIBD’s Managing Director and CEO Junaidi bin Haji Masri.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IRFC) Deputy Regional Director for Asia-Pacific Juja Kim and Head of Delegation for the IFRC Country Cluster Kathryn Clarkson were also present at the event.
During the event, the minister handed over first aid pouches to members of the BIBD Corporate Platoon. BIBD is the first corporate entity in the country to set up a corporate platoon, an auxiliary agent to support BRC in carrying out basic first aid missions and initiatives.
The minister also officiated the installation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) at BIBD Connects which is accessible for public use during emergencies.
The minister also viewed a showcase of BIBD’s Wellness programme and underwent a health check with BIBD’s wellness ambassadors.
The BRC has been working collaboratively with BIBD to develop wellness programmes incorporating healthy lifestyle clinics, stress management as well as BRC’s Mental Health First Aid programme.
The World First Aid Day celebration saw the participation of BRC; various units under the Health Promotion Centre; Makan Ceria Sdn Bhd; Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Progresif Sdn Bhd; Takaful Brunei; Fiziq Enterprises as well as participants of Tunas Project under the Ministry of Home Affairs including BIBD SEED, 1K1P entrepreneurs, the Muallafpreneurs Consortium and entrepreneurs under the Usahawan Bakarih Yayasan programme.
The IFRC introduced World First Aid Day in 2000. Each year, more than 100 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world organise events to raise awareness of how first aid can save lives.
