Rokiah Mahmud
Some BND798 million has been allocated in controlling the COVID-19 infection, purchasing medical devices including respiratory machines, ventilators, test kits including RT-PCR kit and viral RNA extraction kit and vaccines medicines and to increase the capacity of the BruHealth system, consumables items and other necessities.
This was underlined by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah at the 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew explained that priority continues to be given to strengthening the healthcare system to ensure it provides high-quality services through the development of health professionals.
The minister added that a number of initiatives have been implemented such as the launch of Intelligence Hub by the Ministry of Health (MoH) along with EVYD Technology that will house the Epidemic Intelligence and Response Unit.
The minister said, “The joint-venture has involved an investment of BND51 million, including setting up of the Intelligence Hub and the development of the BruHealth application.”
The establishment of Jerudong Park Medical Centre College of Health Sciences (JCHS) by Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) along with Far Eastern University from the Philippines aims to produce highly-skilled local workforce.
Several allocations of fund will also be channelled to the health sectors for treatment and medical services, the minister said.
Some BND3 million will be used to support health infrastructures and facilities in all districts; BND55 million to fund medicines and BND45 million medical supplies and services.
Another BND30 million will go to medical treatment services at JPMC, Brunei Cancer Centre and Brunei Neuroscience, Stroke and Rehabilitation Centre and BND50 million to address communicable diseases.
