| Azaraimy HH |
THE Ministry of Health (MoH) through the Health Promotion Centre held a launching ceremony for its Health Programme for Elder Citizens 2018 at the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PKWE) in Tutong yesterday.
Permanent Secretary at the MoH Haji Abdul Manap bin Othman was the guest of honour.
Legislative Council member cum Mukim Tanjong Maya Penghulu Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Wahab bin Apong, Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Haji Umarali bin Esung, Tutong District Officer Haji Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Mohd Hussain and Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin were also in attendance.
The highlight of the programme was a talk titled ‘The Status of Health among Senior Citizens in the Country’ delivered by Head of the Health Promotion Centre Dr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Md Kassim.
The event included a health exhibition and screening for PKWE members.
The MoH noted that according to statistics from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), 13.9 per cent of the Brunei population were aged 55 and above in 2017.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), in recognition of the significant size of this population, came up with an action plan for their welfare.
The initiative – led by staff from various ministries and government agencies – ensures that Brunei seniors’ livelihoods is taken care of and that they stand on their own and continue to enjoy good health and lead productive lives.
Based on the action plan, the MoH will work towards realising two goals listed under it. These are ‘Objective 2 (Welfare and Wellbeing of Senior Citizens)’: to ensure healthy senior citizens, and the wellbeing of senior citizens who are less able; and ‘Objective 3 (Elderly-Friendly Support System)’: provide senior citizens access to an environment which is friendly, conducive and inclusive.
To discuss the implementation of the action plan and to better under the needs and issues encountered by the seniors, a dialogue session with senior citizens in the Tutong District was held at the PKWE Tutong on March 29.
From the dialogue, it was found that there is a need to improve on the quality of health service rendered to seniors – including special treatment for the elderly who are less able, and that there are insufficient programmes or activities catered towards the elderly.
Following this, a special health programme was created, aiming to improve awareness among seniors on health issues such non-communicable diseases, old-age health problems, healthy lifestyle practices, as well as health services such as pharmacy and dental services.
Through the programme, the MoH hopes to significantly improve knowledge relating to health and self-care among the country’s seniors by the end of 2019, and encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles.
The MoH added that cooperation between all stakeholders is important in realising this health goal, which in turn will help actualise the Brunei Vision 2035.