Response to Written Question PT19

Reading Summary

📖 Reading time: 4 minutes
📊 Word count: 710 words

YANG BERHORMAT DAYANG HAJAH ROSMAWATTY BINTI HAJI ABDUL MUMIN

QUESTION:

YANG BERHORMAT DAYANG HAJAH ROSMAWATTY BINTI HAJI ABDUL MUMIN asked the MINISTER OF HEALTH to outline the steps that need to be taken to enhance health preparedness, including identifying adaptable infrastructure, provisions, and expertise for pandemics. Preparedness should be incorporated into the National Crisis Management Plan and consider lessons from COVID-19, which highlighted the importance of early preparation and a robust health system, even though Brunei handled it well.

YANG BERHORMAT MENTERI KESIHATAN

ANSWER:

The Ministry of Health has been and is currently taking measures to strengthen preparedness and response to pandemics in Brunei Darussalam. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us many valuable lessons. From a public health perspective, it demands our ability to act swiftly, based on science, and be resilient in facing uncertainties and new challenges. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has taken several proactive measures to ensure that we are not only better prepared but can also actively contribute to regional and global health security.

During the World Health Conference in May 2024, the Ministry of Health was appointed as a member of the WHO Executive Board and subsequently became a member of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (SAGEPR). With this appointment, Negara Brunei Darussalam is playing a larger role in the global health landscape. We not only strengthen the country's voice and contributions in strategic discussions but also have the opportunity to help shape global policies related to pandemic preparedness and public health emergencies. The Ministry of Health is also actively involved in the drafting process of the ‘Pandemic Treaty’ aimed at strengthening preparedness, prevention, and global response to pandemic threats. At the regional level, including ASEAN and the Western Pacific, the Ministry of Health also works closely with other health agencies to enhance health emergency preparedness and response through information exchange and capacity building such as training, workshops, and so on.

At the national level, one of the main initiatives of the Ministry of Health in enhancing pandemic preparedness is the establishment of the 'MOH Epidemic Intelligence Hub' in 2022, a center that functions as a source of strategic information in disease surveillance and public health emergency response. It can provide faster and more accurate information by integrating epidemiological data, monitoring infectious disease trends in real-time, allowing early detection of case increases, and faster response planning. In addition, as part of efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness, the Ministry of Health has enhanced 'Influenza Surveillance', which aims to monitor influenza trends in the country to identify any increase in cases or the emergence of new variants, while also contributing to the global influenza surveillance system. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health conducts regular assessments of several core capacities (Core Capacities) to meet the requirements of the International Health Regulation (2005), an international regulation to ensure preparedness and response to health threats that can cross borders, including pandemics.

In 2024, the Ministry of Health also conducted an After Action Review for COVID-19 and invited all stakeholders in Negara Brunei Darussalam to assess the effectiveness of the country's response to COVID-19 and identify successes, challenges, and improvements that need to be implemented. It should also be emphasized that pandemic preparedness should not only focus on the health sector alone but requires close cooperation between various sectors, including human, animal, and environmental health through the One Health Approach.

The Ministry of Health continuously strives to improve preparedness in dealing with any disaster and health emergency by conducting and participating in relevant skills training and workshops for all levels of officers and staff, especially emergency responders and frontliners both domestically and abroad, organized by countries experienced in managing large-scale disasters and health emergencies.

The Ministry of Health also consistently works closely with relevant Government agencies in emergency and disaster management to prepare and update SOPs and guidelines based on the roles and responsibilities of each agency to ensure management is more integrated and organized. Additionally, the Ministry of Health continuously participates in integrated training conducted through table-top and simulation exercises so that each agency understands their respective roles and further strengthens the actions needed to handle any emergency and disaster. This also provides an opportunity for the Ministry of Health to test and further improve existing SOPs.