Healthcare professionals badly needed

THE Ministry of Health (MoH) called upon students to take up careers in medicine and health as the nation's healthcare sector is in dire need of more local healthcare professionals, stated its minister in his speech yesterday at the launch of its biennal careers carnival.

According to Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof, the country is still lacking the required number of healthcare professionals in comparison to other developed nations.

Statistics from 2010 show that the patient-to-doctor ratio in developed nations is between 170 to 300 patients per doctor, whereas the ratio in Brunei is 736 patients per doctor.

The patient-to-dentist ratio in Brunei is 4,819 patients per dentist compared to just 600 to 1,300 patients per dentist in other developed nations.

Meanwhile, the patient-to-pharmacist ratio in Brunei of 9,637 patients per pharmacist is nearly 10 times worse than that of other developed nations with 730 to 1,200 patients per pharmacist.

Allied health professions, such as clinical psychologists and speech language therapists, are also severely understaffed in Brunei.

"MoH only has a very limited and small number of (allied health) professionals ranging between two to nine officers for each profession that provides services nationwide," said the minister.

However, statistics from the ministry show that progress has been made over time as the the amount of local doctors in the country has increased from 35 per cent in 2007 to 43 per cent in 2011.

"Although the amount of locals in the healthcare profession has gone up, MoH wishes to intensify (this number) particularly among the doctor and specialist professions ... and other allied health professions to ensure the system achives its current and future needs," he remarked.

Pehin Dato Hj Adanan declared that it is an issue that the ministry takes seriously, "because we are very aware of the importance of health professionals and workers in strengthening the system towards (becoming) the best and of quality."

"Not only are we in need of sufficient healthcare professionals, but beyond that, the national healthcare system also needs diverse skills and expertise as well as specialists to contribute towards more comprehensive, effective and of quality," he elaborated.

The minister pointed out that the scenario is a clear reflection of how much the country is in need of more healthcare professionals.

He also noted that opportunities to pursue a career in healthcare are abound for local students, adding that professionals working in this sector is high in demand and marketable.

In his speech, Pehin Dato Hj Adanan also revealed a new initiative undertaken by the ministry towards meeting the needs of the healthcare sector. A programme called "Pharmacy Technician Course" is due to receive its first intake of local students in July 2012.

"This initiative is another milestone in the efforts to strengthen the development of the healthcare workforce in order to meet current and future needs," he said.

The minister concluded that the healthcare workforce plays a central role in achieving the National Vision 2035, whereby the sector will help to enhance the quality of living as well as the welfare of Brunei's citizens. The Brunei Times