BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has achieved several early milestones in the CARDIO4Cities programme, a national effort to strengthen the prevention and management of chronic diseases in Brunei Darussalam, delivered in collaboration with the Novartis Foundation and EVYD Technology.
Since the programme began, the partners have completed an intervention prioritisation exercise involving key stakeholders, developed monitoring and evaluation tools to track programme outcomes, and prepared health data to support evidence-based planning and decision-making.
These milestones provide a strong foundation for targeted initiatives to improve the health and well-being of Bruneians.
The programme addresses four major risk factors – high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol – conditions that affect many individuals and significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
By understanding population health trends and identifying individuals who may be at higher risk, healthcare teams are able to focus interventions where they can have the greatest impact.
CARDIO4Cities is a global initiative led by the Novartis Foundation that supports countries and cities in improving the prevention and management of chronic diseases through early detection, data-driven planning and targeted interventions.
The programme brings together healthcare providers, policymakers and technology partners to improve health outcomes and promote healthier communities.
A central aim of the programme is to bring prevention closer to the public. Through BruHealth, Brunei Darussalam’s national health application, the programme will help residents engage more directly with their own health – from screening and early risk identification to guidance on healthier lifestyle choices.
The programme will also utilise data-driven insights to support healthcare planning and enable more targeted preventive interventions, helping to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic diseases in the community.
The Novartis Foundation contributes global expertise and experience from similar programmes implemented around the world, while the programme as a whole supports the MoH’s ongoing efforts to promote healthier lifestyles, strengthen preventive healthcare and improve the management of chronic conditions.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving public health and reducing the burden of chronic diseases in Brunei Darussalam.
By combining public sector leadership, international expertise and local innovation, the programme supports national efforts to build a healthier and more resilient future for all Bruneians. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
