Infection prevention has always been a pillar in healthcare but more so in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic putting a spotlight on the importance of infection control, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar in his address during the International Infection Prevention Week hosted by Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) at The Empire Brunei yesterday.
While he acknowledged the robust infection control programme, surveillance protocols and diagnostic testing capability developed to lay a solid foundation on the nation’s healthcare system, as evidenced in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, he also underlined that the work “is far from over”.
He highlighted the growing threat of antibiotic resistance due to “the overuse of misuse of antibiotics”, which has “made infections harder, if not impossible, to treat”.
He continued, “We must confront the disparities in healthcare access, which can hinder efforts in infection control in underserved communities, putting many lives at unnecessary risk.
“The COVID-19 (pandemic) may be behind us, but emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases will continue to test our systems and resilience. We must be vigilant in strengthening surveillance, preparedness and response (by) learning from past mistakes to ensure we do better in the future.”
The minister also noted the event’s theme, ‘Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention’, which “challenges each of us to ask: What more can we do?”
To move the needle, he believes “we need to embrace a culture of continuous improvement.
“This means healthcare facilities adopting the latest best practices, governments investing in infrastructure for infection prevention, and the public participating actively by staying informed and taking preventive measures seriously.”
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham also outlined key strategies such as education by “informing healthcare providers and the public of effective prevention strategies” and empowerment through allowing “individuals to take control of their own health and safety”.
He added, “Strengthening partnership in infection prevention is a shared responsibility. By forging partnerships between healthcare institutions, government, non-profit organisations and communities, we can create a network of support that responds swiftly and efficiently to outbreaks.”
The minister also believes “new technologies, such as rapid diagnostics, advanced disinfection methods and artificial intelligence for monitoring infection trends are crucial in moving the needle forward.” He highlighted the need to “embrace and invest in these innovations to stay ahead of emerging threats”.
He also drew attention to equity by saying that “no one should be left behind in the fight against infectious diseases. Addressing social determinants of health and ensuring access to proper healthcare and infection prevention tools for all communities is key to success”.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham concluding his address said: “Every small action, every collaboration and every innovation brings us closer to a world where preventable infections are a thing of the past. Let us commit today to pushing forward – united in our mission, relentless in our dedication and hopeful in our vision of a healthier, safer future for all.” – James Kon
