The Sultanate is seeing a high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hgyperlipidemia and obesity – so called lifestyle diseases, said Gleneagles JPMC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Peter Tay yesterday during the World Heart Day Brunei Run 2023, organised by Gleneagles JPMC with support from the Health Promotion Centre (HPC).
“To combat these, knowledge and education are important. Gleneagles JPMC has been partnering with the HPC in its Workplace and Health (WAH) and Happy Environment and Lifestyle (HEAL) community programmes by joining talks, health education and screening to the public sector and senior population,” said Dr Tay in his remarks.
“In July, we relaunched cardiac screening packages to promote the early detection of cardiovascular diseases. Gleneagles JPMC will also have more external campaigns and educational talks on taking care of the heart, the importance of exercise and how food choices impact heart health,” the CEO added.
The event was held in conjunction with World Heart Day, commemorated globally every September 29. The run attracted the participation of Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, who is also the Chairman of Board of Directors of Gleneagles JPMC, as well as over 600 public members.
The minister joined a warm-up session and the three-kilometre (km) fun run.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew later presented prizes to winners in the 10km men’s and 10km women’s categories.
Hulubalang Asgar Abdul Malik bin Awang Hidup won first place in the 10km men’s category followed by Mohammad Sukri bin Alek Jefferi and Ahmad Yazid bin Awang Hidup as runners up.
Noorhanisah binti Haji Abdul Ghani won the 10km women’s category with Tho Siaw Khim and Nurul Mahirah Miramit in second and third places.
The minister toured a health exhibition by Gleneagles JPMC and HPC. There were also vendors showcasing health-related services and products by EVYD Technology Sdn Bhd, Demensia Brunei, Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council, Panaga Health, Boeffi International (B) Sdn Bhd and Seaneotech Trading Sdn Bhd.
This year’s World Heart Day is themed ‘Use Heart, Know Heart’. The event also supports the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) BN on the Move initiative.
The MoH called on the public to learn more about the heart and the symptoms of heart disease.
It also urged Bruneians to undergo health screenings for early detection and treatment.
The ministry also advised the public to exercise regularly, take medication, have a balanced diet, get enough rest and proper sleep as well as reduce stress to lower the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease complications. – James Kon
