ROLE OF INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENT VOLUNTEERISM IN THE NATION RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Kenneth Yuh Yen KOK, Zaw WINT

Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented global disruption, affecting every aspect of life including education. For medical schools and health sciences institutions, the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have resulted in the cessation of onsite classes, suspension of clinical attachments and restructuring of the students’ examination. Students of medicine and health sciences have always been considered an available resource in terms of volunteerism during a health crisis. Students at Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah (PAPRSB) Institute of Health Sciences have been volunteering in both non-direct patient contact and direct patient contact activities. During the pandemic, most of these students’ conventional university study and learning have been put on hold as a result of the restrictions. The need to continue learning is important, the students can therefore use the volunteerism during the pandemic as a learning opportunity looking to maintain and broaden their skills. It is however imperative that appropriate and adequate support, advice and training are provided to these students, not allowing them to undertake any activity beyond their level of competence, and with continuous supervision and adequate protection with personal protection equipment throughout their volunteerism during the pandemic.

Keywords: Academia, COVID-19, Medicine, Pandemic, Students, Volunteerism.

Corresponding author: Kenneth Yuh Yen Kok, Discipline of Medicine, Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE1410, Brunei Darussalam

E-mail: kenneth.kok@ubd.edu.bn; Tel: (673) 8789898

Brunei Int Med J.2022;18:9-15