BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept 12 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has overtaken cancer as the leading cause of overall and premature deaths in Brunei Darussalam, with last year’s statistics suggesting that CVDs were behind 416 deaths, compared to 306 deaths from cancers.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar highlighted this in his opening remarks at the Cardiology Conference 2022 yesterday.
“CVDs accounted for over a quarter (26 per cent) of all deaths (416 out of 1,596) in Brunei Darussalam last year. The age standardised premature CVDs mortality rate in the Sultanate was about 135 per 100,000 population in 2021.
"This rate is comparable to many Western countries and is similar to the reported age standardised CVDs mortality rate in the United States (US) at 130 per 100,000 population in 2019,” he said.
The minister added that in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and CVDs, Gleneagles JPMC is committed to both the management and prevention of CVDs, reflected through the 2019 signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Gleneagles JPMC and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The MoU serves to collaborate on a joint effort promoting a healthier lifestyle through the Workplace and Health (WAH) programme and the Happy Environment and Lifestyle (HEAL) programme.
“The MoH appreciates Gleneagles JPMC’s continued support in providing quality specialised healthcare services to the population,” Dr Mohd Isham said, adding that “this is testament to the strong collaborative efforts of both institutions in curbing the CVD burden”.
Additionally, the MoH – through the Multisectoral Task Force for Health – will continue to cooperate with stakeholders to achieve the targets and indicators.
“This is set out in the strategic objectives of the Brunei Darussalam Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of non-communicable diseases (BruMAP-NCD) 2021-2025, whose goal is to – by 2025 – reduce by 10 per cent the probability of dying between the ages of 30 and 69 from CVDs, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases.”
Citing the conference theme ‘Cardiology in Asia and 20 years of Gleneagles JPMC’ the minister highlighted the centre’s achievements and contributions towards cardiology and the healthcare of the populace. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
