Call to safeguard children
By Achong Tanjong

HRH Princess Hjh Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah takes a closer look at one of the exhibit booths as Dr. Hajah Rahmah (far right), Acting Director of Health Services looks on

Minister of Health, Pehin Dato Hj Awang Abu Bakar presents prizes

 "In Brunei Darussalam, the main cause of unintentional injuries (accidents) is falls, followed by road accidents and poisoning," the Minister of Health, Pehin Dato Hj Awang Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong pointed out during the launching of World Health Day 2003 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) yesterday morning. Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah consented to attend the function.

"Since March this year, 311 children have been admitted to hospitals due to accidents - 12 passed away. This year, a total of 75 children have been involved in road accidents - out of which, three succumbed to their injuries," the Minister of Health revealed.

The Minister of Health called for the involvement and co-operation from all communities - government and private sector - in ensuring a healthy and safe environment for Brunei's children.

"Unsafe environment around homes, schools, playgrounds and roads threaten and affect the welfare of children," he cautioned and said: "Such concerns include the consumption of contaminated food or water, dirty and polluted environment, unsafe place of stay and the careless disposal of rubbish."

"Apart from that, other threats and risks are caused by the utilisation of dangerous chemicals such as the dumping of toxic by-products and noise pollution as well as the use of dangerous chemicals," he said.

"The threats mentioned can affect the development of children. As it would result in them falling ill and having to miss school, which would consequently affect their intellectual and social development," the minister pointed out.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every year, over five million children aged under 15 die due to diseases relating to environment, especially in developing countries ," the Minister made known.

Themed "Shape The Future Of Life - Healthy Environments For Children", World Health Day 2003 in Brunei focuses its priorities on the importance of a healthy and safe environment for the welfare of children, the Minister said.

"The theme stresses on the need of commitment to preserve the three highly valued assets of life; Health, Environment and Children," he pointed out. "These assets are very important for our nation's future."

Earlier, the Acting Director of Health Services, Dr. Hajah Rahmah binti Haji Md. Said who is also the co-chairperson of the celebration said: "In line with this year's theme, an exhibition was organised to highlight various issues of healthy environments in the context of health and children development."

The exhibition is open to all members of the public especially school children. Today will be the last day of the exhibition.

The winners of the Colouring and Drawing contest organised by the Ministry of Health, received their prizes from the Minister of Health yesterday. The contest was participated by more than 300 children (aged 5 years and above).

At the function, guests were entertained with a variety of shows put up by school children. His Majesty's granddaughter from Yayasan Primary School was among those that took part.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin