The elderly population worldwide aged 65 and above will increase from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050, according to the United Nations’ World Social Report 2023. The trend is also seen in Brunei Darussalam too with the 65 and above population growing from 2.8 per cent in 2001 to 6.3 per cent in 2021, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar during the launch of the Allied Health Professions (AHPs) Symposium 2023 at Al-’Afiah Hall, the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) building yesterday.
The minister said ageing comes with physiological changes that affect physical and mental capacities, eventually leading to a reduction in functional abilities, adding that an elderly patient with chronic clinical complications and complex health issues are more likely to require the service of AHPs.
Acknowledging the pivotal roles of AHPs in the healthcare system, a scheme of service for these professionals has been proposed and submitted to the Public Service Department, said Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham at the symposium.
He also said the ministry aims to achieve through the scheme workforce optimisation, career progression and recognition among AHPs in a bid to entice the youth with an aspiration to join the healthcare industry to pursue a career in allied health.
The minister said there are 319 AHPs in the MoH’s clinical workforce, an increase from 228 in 2013.
He noted that AHPs underwent several transformations in the past decade, including the enforcement of the Allied Health Professionals Council of Brunei Darussalam on July 1, 2017 and the publication of AHP Standard of Practice in 2020 to complement the AHP Code of Conduct and Ethics.
The half-day symposium saw some 360 health professionals from public and private sectors gather to highlight the role of AHPs in delivering high-quality care to patients.
There were also exhibitions, talks and a forum discussion covering geriatric care, rehabilitation, nutrition and mental health support.
Permanent Secretary at the MoH Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the MoH Dr Ang Swee Hui were among the attendees. – James Kon
