BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: In 2024 alone, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital’s orthopaedic department performed around 400 surgeries dedicated solely to fracture fixation, most commonly involving wrists and ankles, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Nurhasanuddin Abdullah Kelali said.
Nearly 90 elderly patients required surgical intervention for fractured hips, he said as the guest of honour at the 4th National Fracture Workshop. He also noted that many fractures are managed conservatively, often presenting initially at Accident and Emergency Department or local clinics.
In such settings, he said, the clinical acumen of front-line medical professionals is paramount, as their ability to promptly recognise fractures, initiate first-line treatment, and refer cases for specialised care profoundly impacts patient outcomes.
“The conditions and injuries we address today do not only affect individual health, but also bear broader socioeconomic consequences – impacting income, mobilit, and national productivity,” Dr Muhammad Nurhasanuddin said.
Fracture management constitutes a fundamental pillar of orthopaedic surgery and represents a significant portion of trauma care at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, RIPAS Hospital, he said.
The workshop, organised by the Orthopaedic Society of Brunei was held at Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
Around 250 participants, comprising accident and emergency doctors, general practitioners, and other allied healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and nurses, attended the workshop.
Senior Medical Officer Dr Faique Shafaat also addressed the participants.
The objective provided them an opportunity to update their knowledge on basic fracture management and to highlight common issues and challenges in the field. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
