Children participating in an activity at the event. - Image from Borneo Bulletin/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): The Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA) joined forces with Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital volunteers yesterday joined hands to address common health concerns among children in the Sultanate.
The event, themed ‘Together We Are Stronger’, underscored the collaborative efforts of various government and non-government agencies, along with public participation in raising awareness on various childhood health issues.
Medical professionals, including medical officers, nurses and allied health professionals were on hand to disseminating crucial information to the public.
The focal point was the acknowledgment of childhood cancer as a significant public health challenge, contributing to both child mortality and long-term health complications among survivors.
Additionally, the initiative aimed to highlight preventable health issues such as iron-deficiency anaemia and obesity, advocating for healthy lifestyle practices as effective preventive measures.
Among the topics highlighted was thalassemia, an inherited disorder impeding the production of sufficient and quality blood. The prevalence of thalassemia among individuals of Malay descent in the region underscores the importance of targeted awareness campaigns.
Emphasising the significance of community collaboration, the event sought to strengthen the network between stakeholders, including YASKA committee members, healthcare professionals, volunteers and the community.
A mosque hall was chosen as the venue to maximise outreach across diverse segments of the society and establish the mosque as a hub for health education.
Through collective action, the organisers hoped to draw attention to preventive measures in the hope of achieving better health outcomes for children in the community.
The event also featured leaflets and posters addressing childhood health concerns, information on body mass index (BMI), health-related quizzes and recreational activities to promote health awareness and encourage community participation.
Through direct engagement with the public, the initiative sought to provide foster dialogues on common health concerns between health practitioners and members of the public. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
