BERAKAS, 13 April 2006 – This afternoon the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) held an Influenza Pandemic Flu Desk Demonstration at the Medical Services Berakas Garrison. This Program was an initiative of the Ministry of Defence Influenza Pandemic Committee and RBAF Influenza Preventative and Surveillance Action Group. The demonstration was also a step forward in support of the Ministry of Health Influenza Pandemic Plan (IPP).

Part of the afternoon demonstration simulates the RBAF medical centers implementing Phase Four of the Ministry of Health Influenza Pandemic Action Plan where surveillance activities are being carried out to enhance early detection and containment of a possible influenza outbreak. This includes daily numbers of influenza like illnesses (ILIs) are monitored to identify trends and surges of ILIs’ within RBAF population. The afternoon event also demonstrates the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), implementation of Flu Desks, handling of ILIs’ to the Isolation Clinics and the quarantine drills. Likewise the demonstration was also aimed at enhancing the RBAF medical personnel capability in undertaking possible outbreaks of the Bird Flu in Brunei Darussalam.

Other Senior Guests in attendance was the Deputy Minister of Defence, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof, the Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Defence, Services Commanders and Commandants as well as Directors of the Ministry of Defence.