Heart ailment referrals to JPMC increasing

THE number of heart patients referred from Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (Ripas) Hospital to private cardiac specialist centre Gleneagles JPMC is "steadily increasing", the Minister of Health said yesterday.

Up until this month, it was also recorded that the number of referrals for 2008 has surpassed the whole of 2006, said Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman.

The minister also noted a 37 per cent increase in referrals from Ripas hospital to Gleaneagles JPMC in 2007 compared to 2006, during the launching of World Heart Day 2008 at The Mall in Gadong.

He said that heart disease had always been one of the top three leading causes of death in Brunei. One of the biggest single risk factors for heart disease and stroke is high blood pressure.

"A significant proportion of the Ministry of Health's annual budget is in fact spent on fighting heart disease," he said.

"Every year, we (the Ministry of Health) spend hundreds of millions of dollars on healthcare to ensure the well-being of the citizens and residents of Brunei (and) this amount increases every year," he added.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi said that five of the top six drugs purchased by the ministry were drugs to treat and prevent heart disease and stroke in 2007. More than $10 million was spent on drugs to combat high blood pressure and $8 million was spent on drugs for lowering cholesterol, he said.

The minister said the battle against heart disease cannot be won without the total commitment from the patient and family to take the necessary steps.

"We can only provide the very best advice and medicines, but it's up to the individual to actually follow the prescribed advice, change his or her habits and diet for the better, as well as take their medicines regularly," he said.

"We can only provide the best advice and medicines, but it's up to the individual to follow the prescribed advice, change his or her habits and diet for the better, as well as take their medicines regularly."

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi said that a major reduction of deaths from cardiovascular diseases will come from prevention and not cure, despite medical and therapeutic advances.

"It is hoped that by people knowing the risk they can also be persuaded to minimise their personal risk for cardiovascular diseases including hypertension," he said.

"It is never too early and never too late to start taking care of our heart," he added.

He urged individuals to take up his or her role in taking steps to reduce their personal risk to heart disease such as eating a healthier diet which included more fresh fruits and vegetables, having regular exercises and quit smoking.The minister echoed World Heart Day 2008's theme of "Know Your Risk" and urged the public to visit their health care professionals for routine check-ups.(ODM1) The Brunei Times

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