Everyone’s Health Comes First

By M. Hamzah Jamaludin

SAFETY and security matters are not taken lightly in National Service camps nationwide, writes M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN.

The National Service Training Department has never compromised on the safety and security aspects at all its camps and on top of its list is improving health services for trainees.

Since last year, the department has stationed full-time medical staff from the armed forces to provide medical care for trainees and camp staff.

At least two army medical personnel will be in the camp at any time and they are assisted by Health Department personnel, including a medical assistant and a staff nurse.

NS Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil (picture) says the improvement on the safety and security aspects is an ongoing process with feedback garnered from trainees, parents and the public.

This year, the department appointed the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to check all equipment and facilities at NS camps, especially those used in physical activities, such as the flying fox tower.

Before this, its facilities were checked and certified by a consultant but the NS Training Department is not taking chances and is seeking a second opinion to ensure the highest safety level in all its 84 camps nationwide.

Abdul Hadi, who also chairs the committee on cleanliness and security, says the food supply and camp surroundings in each camp are also checked frequently.

The committee, which include health officials, will conduct spot checks to ensure that the operators follow the guidelines.

“They can seal the facilities if, for example, they find the dining hall is not clean.”

Therefore, parents should not worry about their children’s safety in the camps as all staff and trainers are trained and the facilities are also checked frequently and certified.

Abdul Hadi says: “Parents must ensure their children are telling the truth when making the declaration on their health status.

“In many cases, the trainees fudge their health condition and they may encounter problems when joining the programmes later on.”

Citing a case in Kemaman last month, he says a trainee did not disclose her pregnancy.

“Perhaps she was afraid because she was not married. She said she had piles and was given an exemption from physical training.”

However, three weeks later, the girl complained of a stomach ache and was sent to a hospital where she gave birth to a boy.

“Even the doctors had a surprise that day,” says Abdul Hadi.

On another incident in Tapah, he explains that trainee Afiq Zuhairi Ahmat Rozali did receive treatment at the Sentosa camp in Chendering when he complained of high fever on April 12.

“His condition improved the next day but on April 14 he again sought treatment.”

Afiq Zughairi was sent to the Tapah Hospital when his temperature rose the next day. He was later transferred to the Teluk Intan Hospital.

Unfortunately, the trainee died the same night and a post-mortem report revealed he succumbed to “pulmonary haemorrhage” because of a lung infection.

“It’s unfair to blame us. People should be aware that we followed the guidelines approved by the Health Ministry in both cases.”

Abdul Hadi says the department might compel all trainees to do a medical check-up to prevent a recurrence of such cases.

Several medical staff from the Cahaya Gemilang NS camp in Cherating, Pahang agree with Abdul Hadi. They say it is standard procedure to refer a sick trainee to a government clinic if his or her condition worsens.

Sergeant Zulkifli Mamat, 37, who heads the camp’s health unit, says medical staff only treat minor illnesses, such as fever or muscle pain.

He says the treatment room in the camp is equipped with a nebuliser for anyone with asthma.

Zulkifli says the medical staff can spot certain illnesses when trainees undergo physical training.

“If they cannot finish the first 10 rounds of shortdistance running, we will send them for a thorough checkup at the hospital. In many instances, the trainees have to be exempted from vigorous training when we find out they are asthmatic or have other health problems.”

Medical assistant Mohd Haslan Mat Ghani, 28, says staff from Beserah polyclinic take turns to assist the armed forces medical personnel at the camp.

“We are here on rotational basis and are replaced every two weeks. We stay at the staff quarters and are on call 24 hours daily,” says Mohd Haslan.

Staff nurse Siti Rodhiah Mohamad, 35, says that she is happy to be stationed at the camp.

“It’s fun to handle the trainees as they are all very disciplined. I also treat them like my own brothers and sisters.”

Siti Rodhiah discloses that she has yet to treat a trainee with serious health problems. Most seek treatment only for upper respiratory tract infection and muscle pain.

(c) 2008 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.