Brunei's Ministry of Health commits to stronger primary healthcare as decentralisation marks 25 years
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Minister of Health Datuk Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar, in a message underscored the Ministry of Health's (MoH) commitment to further strengthen primary healthcare as the foundation for an inclusive, sustainable and resilient health system.
The minister said, 'Today marks the 25th anniversary of the implementation of the basic health services decentralisation policy in Brunei Darussalam, which is a turning point in the history of the progress and development of the public service, especially for the MoH and has driven major changes in the health system in the country.'
He said, 'Alhamdulillah, with the wise and transparent leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the initiative was consented to in 2000 with the objective of bringing health services closer to the citizens and residents of this country, making them accessible, affordable and of quality, regardless of location or individual background.'
Primary healthcare services, he mentioned, 'are the first contact between the health service and the community. Therefore, this service has the capacity to use a holistic approach through multidisciplinary expertise, especially in the management and control of chronic diseases, while further strengthening the prevention aspect by promoting healthy lifestyles and early disease screening'.
The development of infrastructure based on the one stop centre concept, which is also in line with the Millennium Development Goals and now the Sustainable Development Goals, he said, 'has made it easier for citizens and residents to receive comprehensive primary health services and has thus raised the level of achievement of Brunei Darussalam among the World Health Organization countries with a high universal health coverage Index'.
In line with Brunei Vision 2035, he pointed out, 'Primary healthcare will continue to be a key pillar in the healthcare system in Brunei Darussalam, which has been proven to be more cost-effective, efficient, and safe towards producing a healthier community and generation with a high quality of life.'
Throughout the 25 years of this policy's implementation, various significant achievements have been made, such as expanded access with the establishment of health centres and clinics in strategic and planned locations, in line with the increasing number and health needs of citizens and residents since decentralisation was implemented.
The provision of infrastructure and facilities for primary health services under the National Development Plan, he explained, 'is growing and designed in accordance with the development of medical technology and professional skills in providing more sophisticated and effective services'.
He also shared, 'As we look back on this 25-year journey, we also do not forget the role and contribution of all parties involved since the beginning, including the persistence and perseverance of policymakers and planners who founded the changes in the health system, the commitment and sacrifice of health professionals and workers supporting the implementation of the decentralisation policy, and also other stakeholders consisting of government agencies and the community, especially grassroots leaders and the community itself, who also contributed to the successful implementation of the decentralisation of basic health services in this country.'
The minister continued, 'We move forward with full commitment to the principle of 'Health for All', for the well-being of the citizens and future generations. This is the time for the MoH to renew its commitment to providing a stronger, more accessible, equitable and people-centred health system which can be accomplished with effective and sustainable innovations such as the use of digital technology in the provision of primary healthcare services and empowering the community to be more knowledgeable and involved in healthcare.' - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
SUPP Lambir to host health awareness carnival on June 15
SUPP Lambir organising committee members pose for a photo call, taken after a meeting session prior to the carnival. MIRI (June 7): The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Lambir branch will host a health check awareness carnival on Sunday, June 15, at its premises located at Lot 563, Block 5, Lambir Land District, Jalan Tukau, from 8.30am to 1pm. Deputy Minister of Health Malaysia, Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni, is expected to officiate the event, which aims to raise public awareness on the importance of regular health screenings and provide health services to residents in Bakam, Tukau, and surrounding areas. The initiative is jointly supported by both private and public agencies, including the National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia (LPPKN) through Klinik Nur Sejahtera, the Ministry of Health's Department of Dentistry, International Optical Co., Best Hearing Aid Centre Miri, and Amcal Pharmacy Sdn Bhd. LPPKN will provide free mammogram screenings and free hysterectomised cancer-specific genotype testing, in addition to basic health tests such as blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) at RM10; and Pap smear tests at RM45. 'Dental check-ups will be conducted by the Ministry of Health's Department of Dentistry, while International Optical Co. and Best Hearing Aid Centre will offer free visual examinations and hearing tests respectively,' said the organising committee in a statement. Amcal Pharmacy will also conduct free quantum resonance magnetic analytic for interested participants, it added. IN addition to health services, the carnival will feature a children's colouring contest, offering families a fun and educational experience. The contest will be divided into three categories – Kindergartens, Primary 1 to 3, and Primary 4 to 6, with door gifts for all participants. Due to limited participation slots, those interested in registering for the colouring contest are encouraged to contact Lim Lay Cheng on 016-872 5634 or Lee Pei Pei on 012-807 5843. Other attractions include a lucky draw, family photo booth sessions, singing and dancing activities, and public service information booths. These booths will offer details and assistance on programmes such as the Kenyalang Gold Card, Senior Citizen Health Benefits, PeKa B40, and Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS). health check awareness carnival Lukanisman Awang Sauni SUPP Lambir
Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ministers shouldn't have to fake it till they make it, says KJ
Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin said people appointed to the Cabinet need time to settle in and cannot be expected to know everything about their jobs from day one. PETALING JAYA : Newly-appointed ministers should be given more time to settle into their jobs after being appointed to the Cabinet, says former minister Khairy Jamaluddin. The ex-health minister said that members of the Cabinet were expected to know everything related to their portfolio from day one, adding that this was unrealistic. 'The moment a minister is announced and appointed, almost the very next day, they see the press, and the press asks them, 'What are your priorities? This guy doesn't even know what day it is. They have to pretend. I mean, fake it till you make it, right?' he said in an episode of the Game of Impossible podcast with former minister Idris Jala and his son, Leon. Khairy said ministers need at least two or three weeks to understand their ministries. The former Rembau MP recounted how he took matters into his own hands when appointed as health minister in 2021, a portfolio which he admitted he was not very familiar with at the time. 'I had some goodwill with one of the big consulting companies because they did work for me before. So I asked them, can you help onboard me; that was my own initiative,' he said. Khairy said the firm then arranged virtual briefings with health experts from around the world as he learned about the portfolio. 'They brought in their partners from all over the world, from healthcare financing, public health, health economics, looking at how other countries transform their hospitals.' Since Malaysia's political system does not appoint specialists to such posts, Khairy said ministers must make the effort to understand their roles. 'You want somebody who's considered, somebody who's measured, somebody who knows what's realistic, rather than somebody just spewing absolute nonsense on day one,' he said. Revamp ministry offices Khairy, who has also served as minister for science, technology and innovation as well as youth and sports, also criticised the way ministerial offices were structured in Putrajaya, saying the layout often separated the minister from key staff. 'You walk into the office and you know this room is the private secretary, this room is the press secretary… That's not being in the trenches with the troops,' he said. The former Umno man said he changed this in the health ministry at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, opting instead to work side-by-side with his officers. He said his room was the same size as that of the ministry's secretary-general, 'same size as the directors of the task force'. 'When the troops see the generals there together, decision-making is easier,' said Khairy.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
If you're eating too fast, maybe it's time to rethink your meals
Eating more slowly can be encouraged with structured, varied meals, eaten with cutlery. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Wolfing down food too quickly is not without consequences for your health. Indeed, this eating habit is linked to an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and even certain types of cancer. But do you really need to force yourself to slow down, or could you simply structure your meals differently? Researchers at Japan's Fujita Health University set out to investigate. Over a 12-week period, they monitored 41 adults, all members of the university staff, and gave them three types of meal. These were either a slice of pizza warmed in the microwave, eaten by hand, or bentos consisting of rice, broccoli and chopped steak, eaten with chopsticks – sometimes starting with the vegetables, then sometimes saving them for last. The scientists' aim was to find out whether the speed with which one eats depends more on the type of food they eat or the order in which they eat it. Their findings, published in the journal Nutrients, speak for themselves. Bento meals resulted in significantly longer chewing times than pizza, regardless of whether the vegetables were eaten first or last. On average, participants took 182 to 216 seconds longer to finish their bento. In other words, it wasn't the order in which the food was eaten that slowed the pace, but rather the format of the meal. But that's not all. The bentos also encouraged participants to chew more often and faster – without changing the number of bites. This appears to have happened because a compartmentalised meal, served with utensils and composed of a variety of foods, naturally encourages people to slow down. Clearly, a meal that requires a certain level of effort is a meal that can be enjoyed more slowly. The scientists found no association between body mass index and meal duration. On the other hand, age and male sex seem to be associated with faster mealtimes. Much more than one's personal self-discipline, it could be the format of a meal – its composition, its presentation, the way it's eaten – that influences how quickly one eats it. So, rather than forcing yourself to slow down, it could be a question of giving yourself the means to do so naturally. In short, eating more slowly isn't (just) a matter of self-control: it's a choice that starts in the kitchen. It means foregoing quick, on-the-go meals and favouring structured, varied meals, eaten with cutlery. This could well be one of the simplest and most effective tools to combat overeating. Indeed, eating better could actually be a question of eating differently – taking your time, savouring each mouthful and sharing a moment with friends or family, for example. Reframing mealtimes in this way could help foster a more conscious, more serene and healthier way of eating.
