Capacity and systems vital in public health, says Brunei minister

Minister of Health Dr Haji Mohd Isham Jaafar, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Management) at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Dr Anie Haryani Abdul Rahman, and officers from the MoH in a group photo. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug 28 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): The importance of developing and maintaining effective capacity and systems in preventing, detecting and responding to public health emergencies was underscored by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar.

He made the statement at the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Health and the Economy held in Bangkok, Thailand from August 25 to 26.

The minister led the Brunei delegation comprising Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Management) at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Dr Anie Haryani Abdul Rahman and senior officers from the MoH.

Dr Mohd Isham also stressed on the need to assess, update and reform the global health security system as well as continuous surveillance, based on transparency leveraging digital technology to connect information around the world.

He called for the sharing of information and data as well as ensuring transparency to build mutual trust and encourage unity among member nations’ economies.

The meeting, themed ‘Open to Partnership. Connect with the World. Balance Health and the Economy’, focussed on the balance between health and the economy in implementing Putrajaya Vision 2040 while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting also discussed investment in global health security to increase preparedness for the emergence of future pandemics.

The meeting concluded with the issue of ‘Chair’s Statement on the 12th APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy’ which agreed to strengthen the health security system through investment and use of digital technology.

While continuing efforts to address health issues according to the interests of members’ economies towards improving the sustainability of health systems and promote health of the Asia-Pacific people.

The 12th APEC on Health and the Economy was preceded by the APEC Health Working Group Meeting which examined the mechanisms to strengthen effective health security systems in preventing, detecting and responding to public health emergencies. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN