Rokiah Mahmud
Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar shared that the Sultanate has seen an increase in healthcare professionals, with 806 doctors and dentists in 2022-2023, as opposed to 738 doctors and dentists; 2,517 nurses and 313 health professionals in 2020-2021.
This was shared by the minister during the 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
The minister said other health services expanded include sports medicine, palliative care, infectious diseases specialisation, and organ transplant services, particularly kidney
“Despite the increase, it is still insufficient,” the minister said.
Among the causes, he added, are the development and addition of various specialised services at hospitals and clinics.
The minister noted several efforts undertaken to accelerate the recruitment of healthcare professionals through collaboration with private medical institutions and academia as well as cooperation with government agencies in conducting research and improving service schemes.
The ministry, he said is committed in exploring new strategic approaches to generating human resources.
He said infrastructure development in the public health sector continues to be emphasised.
Under the 11th National Development Plan (RKN 11), the construction of a new block at Jubli Perak Health Centre in Sengkurong is expected to be completed by next month, he said, and will add more consultation rooms for the primary healthcare and maternal and children services including isolation rooms and additional space for services such as nutrition, psychology, psychiatric, smoking cessation clinics, and dentistry.
In the Belait District, the construction of a new Emergency Service at the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital that is set to begin soon is expected to be completed by middle of next year, the Minister said.
“When completed, it will provide a comfortable area for patients and their family members, reduce waiting times and streamline emergency management process.”
The minister also shared that the Molecular Diagnostic Clinical Laboratory for Infectious Diseases in the Tutong District has been completed and equipped with advanced virology laboratory equipment.
The laboratory will be able to carry out genetic sequencing studies on infectious disease pathogens that will support the country’s in controlling infectious diseases.
