The Brunei Medical Students’ Association (BMSA) hosted the first Brunei Medical, Dental and Allied Health Students’ Conference on Sunday.
The conference took place in a hybrid format at the Health Promotion Centre, Berakas and a virtual platform on Zoom.
Brunei Medical Association President Dr Hajah Helena binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Haji Hurairah, who is also a consultant ophthalmic surgeon, was the guest of honour.
Forty-eight physical and 21 virtual delegates registered for the conference, which consisted of Bruneian medical, dental and allied health students from across the globe.
“In developing the conference, we identified key values important in fostering effective growth, innovation and advancements,” said BMSA President Haziq Aziz Shamri in his welcoming speech.
“Thematically, the conference was conceived around the term ‘Upskilling’, recognising the significant meaning of this which encapsulates very many aspects of interpersonal and interprofessional growth. Upskilling is not merely defined on an individual level, but rather on a collective degree to which every one of us has roles and expertise to complement one another, in breaking through the challenges we face in this rapidly evolving generation.”
During the morning session, delegates attended a public health emergency workshop led by Dr Zawani, Dr Hanani and Dr Jian Yu from the Brunei Medical Association. Delegates were taught on aspects of a public health emergency plan and briefed on the concept of a public health emergency operation centre, using the recent COVID-19 pandemic as a prime example. Delegates also took part in group discussions through the workshop.
The conference hosted a research competition for health students to submit research they conducted during university and present it to a wider audience.
The oral presentation was won by Muhammad Waldan Hamizan bin Yakub, a third year medical student from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, with his research on ‘Knowledge, Beliefs, Trust and Motivation of Chronic Gout Patient and Its Management’. The poster presentation was won by Rashieqah Nadhierah Nor Yusof ‘Ain, a medical student from International Medical University, Malaysia, with her research on ‘Perception of empathy among medical students at International Medical University: A qualitative analysis of responses to open-ended questions’.
Through this, students had the chance to explore research projects conducted by the students with the opportunity to support the goals of Brunei Vision 2035.
The conference also featured keynote talks by invited speakers – specialist gastroenterologist and haematologist Dr Chong Vui Heng covered research and publications in Brunei, and a panoramic talk on perspectives surrounding dementia by occupational therapist and Demensia Brunei Secretary Bazilah Ali, Demensia Brunei Vice President Irnawati binti Haji Mahir and Dr Hajah Asmah binti Haji Husaini who is a carer for person with dementia.
“I was especially motivated to do better after hearing the talks as I realised many are working hard to help people and to improve our people as a community,” commented one of the delegates about the keynote speeches.
Delegates also got to experience virtual clinical skills sessions in the evening. An ABCDE assessment was led by Dr Kah Teong, followed by a case-based discussion which was led by Dr Hakeem Ariffin.
In his closing remarks, conference convenor and BMSA Vice-President (External Affairs) Awangku Md Nukman Syawqi bin Pengiran Md Salimin said, “BMSA’s vision has always been to unite students. I believe today is evidence to that. We are able to realise that vision as we united not only medical students, but students from dentistry and other allied health students, from all corners of the globe. Insya Allah, we are the future of Brunei’s healthcare system, and while this may be the first time we see many of the delegates in attendance today, I hope this won’t be the last.”
Also in attendance were members from the Brunei Medical Association, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education (MoE).
The conference was also supported by the Brunei Medical Association, the MoE and Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
The Brunei Medical, Dental and Allied Health Students’ Conference is the first large-scale academic event hosted by the BMSA to enhance and exchange valuable medical and clinical knowledge between Bruneian medical, dental and allied health students.