Brunei Health Minister attends conference in S'pore

THE Minister of Health was in Singapore during the week to attend an anti-smoking conference and campaign launch.

In a press release issued yesterday, the ministry said that Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof began his week-long trip to Singapore with the campaign launch towards a smoke-free ASEAN on March 20.

The minister also participated in the 15th 'World Conference on Tobacco or Health' (WCTOH), which was held on the same day.

During the conference, a high-level ministerial plenary session chaired by Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), among the issues discussed included the implementation measures of tobacco control iniatives in accordance to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan also made a series of official working visits to several hospitals and medical centres in the republic.

The objectives of the visit was to observe the facilities available as well as to exchange information and experiences on new health care services, besides exploring opportunities for health professional placements, the statement said. The minister also paid a call to his Singaporean counterpart, Gan Kim Yong.

During the meeting the ministers discussed the strengthening of health cooperation between the two countries, including the effectiveness and efficiency in both health care systems.

The health minister also took the opportunity to meet with 15 Bruneian healthcare professionals currently undergoing advanced courses and specialist training.

Accompanying the minister were Permanent Secretary Dato Paduka Hj Abd Salam Abd Momin and several senior officers.