From: Subject: Preparedness vital in addressing health crises | The Brunei Times Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:39:21 +0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0009_01C8CC70.31549790" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3198 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0009_01C8CC70.31549790 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2008/06/10/preparedness_vital_in_addressing_health_crises =EF=BB=BF Preparedness vital = in addressing health crises | The Brunei Times

Thursday June 12, 2008

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Preparedness vital in addressing health crises

Bimp meeting: Dr Hjh Kalsom (2nd R), = acting=20 director general at the Ministry of Health and other delegates at the = first=20 Sub-Regional (Bimp) Exercise Management Training Workshop. Picture: = Qistina=20 Rangga

Yazmyn Hashim
BANDAR SERI = BEGAWAN

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

WHEN dealing with the issue of preparedness in = response to=20 public health emergencies, it is crucial to avoid sinking into the trap = of=20 complacency.

Dr Pengiran Hishamuddin Pengiran DP Hj Badaruddin, = acting=20 senior medical officer of the Disease Control Division, believes that no = nation=20 can ever be fully prepared for the onset of an emerging infectious = disease=20 (EID).

He emphasises the necessity in taking regular steps to = improve=20 existing plans and preparations.

Severe outbreaks, such as the = SARS=20 near-pandemic in 2002, have shown that increasingly complex infectious = diseases=20 can quickly spread in a highly globalised world. These EIDs clearly do = not=20 discriminate against race or religion.

"They do, however, = discriminate=20 against those who are not well-prepared," highlighted Damien Donovan, a=20 representative from the Australian High Commission on behalf of AusAID = (Agency=20 for International Development).

Although having action plans in = place to=20 ensure effective execution of appropriate and timely interventions is = essential,=20 this alone is not adequate. Aside from designing and developing suitable = strategies, they need to be tested and assessed to identify gaps and = other key=20 areas for improvement. One way of testing the effectiveness of a = developed plan=20 is through conducting simulation exercises.

Dr Pengiran = Hishamuddin is=20 optimistic about Brunei's progress in preparing for public health = emergencies.=20 "Thankfully, we have the cooperation and support required, as well as = suitable=20 manpower and resources if such concerns arise."

He reminds that = there is=20 always room for improvement, and believes that the workshop will prove=20 beneficial in further honing and strengthening the nation's overall = capacity and=20 capability in dealing with such emergencies. One key area that is hoped = to be=20 improved is public involvement and awareness.

The acting senior = medical=20 officer believes that informing and educating the public about emerging=20 infectious diseases is essential to ensure smooth and structured = management of=20 the planned exercises. Past events have also shown that the effects of = severe=20 EID outbreaks extend beyond the health sector.

Due to this, = involvement=20 of the non-health sectors is important and participants of the first=20 sub-regional (Bimp) Exercise Management Training Workshop include=20 representatives from the military, agriculture department and Fire and = Rescue=20 Services.

Prior to the workshop, a Regional Experience Sharing = Workshop=20 on Exercise Management in Asean+3 countries was held in Bangkok, = Thailand last=20 November.

The Brunei Times

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