| Hakim Hayat |
AUTORITI Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) held a Cancer Awareness Event for its employees recently at the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) complex in Commonwealth Drive in conjunction with World Cancer Day 2019.
Organised in collaboration with Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital and Health Promotion Centre (HPC) of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), the event aimed to raise awareness on the risk factors and ways to reduce cancer risks.
Consultant Oncologist and Physician at RIPAS Hospital Dr Haji Muhammad Syafiq bin Abdullah @ Kian Chee Lim delivered a presentation entitled ‘Cancer in Brunei – What You Need to Know’.
The talk focussed on the prevalence of cancer within the country. “Cancer is one of the top two killers in Brunei Darussalam – and is the leading cause of death, with records of over 600 cases diagnosed per year. Therefore, awareness is crucial to understand that there are preventative measures and that early detection is important,” he said in his presentation.
The talk also covered various types of commonly occurring cancers within Brunei, the risk factors associated with the disease including lifestyle, environmental and inheritance factors, as well as prevention and controls.
In line with Cancer Awareness Day 2019’s theme ‘I Am and I Will’, Dr Haji Muhammad Syafiq stated, “The drive for change should first come within ourselves and that includes healthy behaviour and habits that can be practised at home and within the organisation, improvise to reach your daily food intake and physical activity goals and aim to change your lifestyle in the workplace together to move towards a healthier and a more positive and productive workforce.”
In November 2017, AMBD also held a Mental Health Awareness programme for its employees highlighting the importance of understanding their mental health status and the importance of ensuring their mental health.
The event also included a Cancer Prevention Exhibition by the HPC, and assisted self-breast examinations by JPMC.
Vouchers were given out to female employees to undergo an ultrasound or a mammogram at the JPMC.