Brunei Darussalam is hosting a three-day International Health Regulations – Performance of Veterinary Services (IHR-PVS) National Bridging Workshop from April 22 to 24, to advance the nation’s commitment to the One Health approach in addressing complex health threats.
Held at An-Naura Hall in Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, the workshop is co-organised by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Quadripartite comprising the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The event brings together over 50 participants, including senior officials and experts from the human health, animal health, and environmental sectors, alongside One Health specialists from Bhutan, Thailand, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The workshop was officiated with opening remarks by Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health Dr Hajah Rafidah binti Haji Gharif and Deputy Permanent Secretary at MPRT Dayang Noralinda binti Haji Ibrahim.
“This workshop marks a pivotal milestone in advancing Brunei’s One Health initiative, moving us toward an integrated, proactive national health security system,” said Dr Hajah Rafidah, emphasising the importance of breaking down silos and fostering cross-sectoral cooperation to tackle challenges such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety.
Meanwhile, Dayang Noralinda echoed the importance of the initiative, highlighting the need for collaboration from various sectors, disciplines, and communities to contribute to sustainable development and shared health goals.
Participants will engage in intensive discussions over the three days to identify practical mechanisms for implementing the IHR and PVS frameworks. The goal is to define clear cross-sectoral roles, set priority actions, and establish measurable outcomes to reinforce Brunei’s health security.
The workshop also highlights Brunei’s commitment to regional and global health frameworks, including the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action and the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health Initiative, both of which were adopted in 2023.
The Ministry of Health acknowledged the continued support from Global Affairs Canada through the ASEAN Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) Programme, which has been instrumental in enabling this workshop and other One Health-related initiatives. – Fadley Faisal
