The rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is placing an increasing burden on Brunei Darussalam’s health care system and economy, though the government is stepping up efforts to improve the nation’s health. NCDs have been the main cause of death in Brunei Darussalam for more than 30 years, with a shift away from traditional lifestyles and dietary patterns seen as the underlying cause,…
Although Brunei Darussalam's ongoing commitment to providing its citizens with high-quality universal health care has produced a robust public health care network, non-communicable diseases still pose a significant threat to the population. Cancer is far and away the country's primary cause of mortality, with 295 deaths recorded in 2013, according to the Department of Economic Planning and Development.…
Long a priority of Brunei Darussalam’s government, the domestic health care system continues to rank among the best in the region even as it shifts its priorities in response to a change in the health issues facing the local population. Having already tackled the problem of communicable diseases while instituting nationwide universal health services, which have drastically reduced mortality rates…
Interview: Dr Kenneth Y Y Kok How can Brunei Darussalam cope with the rising cost of health care provision while maintaining a high quality of service? KEENNETH Y Y KOK: The cost of health care is indeed increasing in most parts of the world. However, if you look at the provision of cancer treatment in Brunei Darussalam, the nation currently does not have radiotherapy services available. This means…
Having already drastically reduced mortality rates and increased life expectancy by tackling the problem of communicable diseases and instituting nationwide universal health services, the Sultanate is now shifting its efforts towards combating non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Although Brunei Darussalam’s substantial hydrocarbons exports and relatively small population…
Commanding the second-highest GDP per capita among all ASEAN member nations at $39,700 in 2013, Brunei Darussalam remains one of the most advanced economies in the South-east Asia region. Historically, the hydrocarbons industry has dominated the Bruneian economy and allowed the country to amass considerable wealth. However, the nation is making an earnest effort to diversify its economy to ensure
The Malay Archipelago is one of the world’s most concentrated areas of mega-biodiversity. Scientists estimate that the rainforests of Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines harbour thousands of species of flowering plants, palms, ferns, orchids, mosses, lichens and liverworts. So-called “bioprospectors” have discovered a wide variety of chemicals in the flora of these…
The nation’s universal health care system is the envy of many other countries. Through it, Brunei Darussalam has met most of the health care targets set out in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as internally set goals. The country has the second-highest life expectancy among the ASEAN countries, behind only Singapore. However, non-communicable…
One of the key objectives of Brunei Darussalam’s vision for development, Wawasan Brunei 2035, is for its people to be educated and highly skilled – a goal the government intends to reach by building a quality education system that provides opportunities for all. The system is also designed to meet the challenges of an ever-changing, competitive and knowledgebased global economy, as well as…
Brunei Darussalam’s universal health care system has helped it meet most of the health care targets set out in the UN Millennium Development Goals by the World Health Organisation. The country has the second-highest life expectancy rate among ASEAN countries. Non-communicable diseases like cancer are now the biggest concerns and, as the price of health care rises, the Sultanate is in the process…