All must help to ensure optimal health

THE Minister of Health (MoH) has called on stakeholders, such as government and non-government agencies, to follow through on His Majesty's call to support and sustain a disciplined lifestyle which focuses on quality and optimal health.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Md Yusof referred to His Majesty's titah during the 2012 Knowledge Convention, where the monarch spoke of optimal health and how it may only be achieved if every member of society is equally aware and concerned about health matters rather than be dependent on the government.

The minister reached out to stakeholders, which also included the private sector and all levels of the Sultanate's society, to cooperate and support the cause by being active and disciplining themselves to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

In conjunction with the official opening of the Pengkalan Batu Health Centre yesterday, the minister established a committee tasked with promoting and adopting a healthy lifestyle consisting of stakeholders residing at Pengkalan Batu such as grassroots leaders, government and non-government officials, education institute individuals and others.

"This committee, it is hoped, will create and instil awareness and commitment among all citizens and residents of this mukim by identifying and providing programmes that lead to lifelong health care, a healthy lifestyle and also ensure a clean, safe and pollution-free environment," he said.

"With this, we also hope to support the implementation of the 'Health in All Policies' which is the adoption of health in all aspects of public policy, in order to improve the quality of life of the people and security of their welfare as well as prosperity of the nation."

At the same time, YB Pehin Hj Adanan expressed the ministry's hope and efforts to assimilate the concept of 'People-Centred Health Care' which focuses and involves the needs of health and society expectations to a more effective level.

He called out to all officials and staff under the ministry to adopt proper etiquette and quality of caring for others, to carry out tasks professionally, follow standard procedures, provide the best of services, to be polite and to communicate efficiently with patients.

"To enhance public confidence in the services provided, we must work together persistently and proactively in carrying out the tasks entrusted to us."

The Brunei Times