Brunei needs better health system
Urgent call: Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman delivers his speech. Picture: Rudolf Portillo
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
THE ever-growing threat posed by climate change to global public health security urgently call for a higher quality health system that will be better prepared in disaster and crisis management.
This was highlighted by Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman in his capacity as the guest of honour at the World Health Day 2008 celebrations yesterday.
This year's World Health Day, themed "protecting health from climate change", focuses on health hazards from climate change which are diverse and global in nature, ranging from higher risks of extreme weather events to changes in the dynamics of infectious diseases.
In his speech, the minister stressed the growing health impact from climate change and reminded the audience that although the human body is capable of adapting itself against exposure of climate changes, there are still limits to the protection that the body can provide.
He further reminded the assembly that Brunei is not immune to the impact of climate change on humans, ecosystems and the environment and mentioned several impacts such as food security, water stress, species extinction, widespread health problems and extreme weather.
The haze caused by forest fires which affected Brunei in 1997 to 1999 and other extreme weather phenomena like drought, strong winds and heavy rain which caused disasters such as floods and landslides which were rarely seen in the country, are some examples.
"Stagnant weather conditions can trap both warm air and air pollutants, leading to smog episodes with significant health impact," said the minister.
"Extreme heat or cold can cause potentially fatal illnesses such as heat stress or hypothermia, as well as increasing death rates from heart and respiratory diseases."
The minister also informed the crowd that a number of killer diseases are sensitive to climatic conditions and that their incidence and spread are likely to be affected by changing weather patterns.
The health impact of climate change will be difficult to reverse in a few years and to this end, the Ministry of Health is taking steps to increase awareness on the issue of climate change and its impact on public health through several workshops and action plans to be initiated this year.
One such initiative is being implemented through the United Nations Environment Programme called the Regional Initiative on Environment and Health in Southeast and East Asian countries, which aims to increase the capacity of Southeast and East Asian countries on environmental health management.
The initiative keeps its focus on six areas to be addressed: air quality; water supply, hygiene and sanitation; solid and hazardous waste; toxic chemicals and hazardous substances; climate change, ozone depletion and ecosystem changes; and environmental health emergencies.
To reduce the exposure to and the effect of the changing climate, several steps can be taken by health and related sectors, for example, controlling disease vectors, reducing pollution from transport and efficient land use and water management.
The minister called for concerted efforts in ensuring that Brunei can withstand any impact of climate change and weather patterns and prepare itself for what needs to be done to mitigate these impacts.
The Brunei Times
This was highlighted by Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman in his capacity as the guest of honour at the World Health Day 2008 celebrations yesterday.
This year's World Health Day, themed "protecting health from climate change", focuses on health hazards from climate change which are diverse and global in nature, ranging from higher risks of extreme weather events to changes in the dynamics of infectious diseases.
In his speech, the minister stressed the growing health impact from climate change and reminded the audience that although the human body is capable of adapting itself against exposure of climate changes, there are still limits to the protection that the body can provide.
He further reminded the assembly that Brunei is not immune to the impact of climate change on humans, ecosystems and the environment and mentioned several impacts such as food security, water stress, species extinction, widespread health problems and extreme weather.
The haze caused by forest fires which affected Brunei in 1997 to 1999 and other extreme weather phenomena like drought, strong winds and heavy rain which caused disasters such as floods and landslides which were rarely seen in the country, are some examples.
"Stagnant weather conditions can trap both warm air and air pollutants, leading to smog episodes with significant health impact," said the minister.
"Extreme heat or cold can cause potentially fatal illnesses such as heat stress or hypothermia, as well as increasing death rates from heart and respiratory diseases."
The minister also informed the crowd that a number of killer diseases are sensitive to climatic conditions and that their incidence and spread are likely to be affected by changing weather patterns.
The health impact of climate change will be difficult to reverse in a few years and to this end, the Ministry of Health is taking steps to increase awareness on the issue of climate change and its impact on public health through several workshops and action plans to be initiated this year.
One such initiative is being implemented through the United Nations Environment Programme called the Regional Initiative on Environment and Health in Southeast and East Asian countries, which aims to increase the capacity of Southeast and East Asian countries on environmental health management.
The initiative keeps its focus on six areas to be addressed: air quality; water supply, hygiene and sanitation; solid and hazardous waste; toxic chemicals and hazardous substances; climate change, ozone depletion and ecosystem changes; and environmental health emergencies.
To reduce the exposure to and the effect of the changing climate, several steps can be taken by health and related sectors, for example, controlling disease vectors, reducing pollution from transport and efficient land use and water management.
The minister called for concerted efforts in ensuring that Brunei can withstand any impact of climate change and weather patterns and prepare itself for what needs to be done to mitigate these impacts.
The Brunei Times
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