Health & Education
From The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2013
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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 of balancing the rising cost of care provision while maintaining the quality of its services. Moves toward extending its activities to pharmaceuticals production and health tourism in tertiary cardiac care, cancer and rehabilitation facilities bode well for the sector. 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. The system is designed to meet the challenges of an ever-changing, competitive and knowledge-based global economy, as well as encouraging lifelong learning and achievement in sport and the arts.

This chapter contains interviews with David Willetts, UK Minister for Universities and Science; and Pehin Dato Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Education.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A good prognosis: Health care strategies target prevention and best practices
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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 illnesses like cancer and heart disease are still the biggest killers and, as the price…

Analysis

Tropical pharma: Making the most of local biodiversity
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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 tropical forests. Because the compounds that might be created from these plants are staggering in terms…

Overview

Excellence through academics: By setting clear standards, the nation is poised for higher achievement
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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 encourage lifelong learning and achievement in sport and the arts. DEVELOPMENT AIMS: Forging a competitive…