Crown Prince Stresses Importance Of Primary Health

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in his speech said that studies have shown that there is strong evidence that a health system based on primary health care principles is safer, more effective in achieving good health objective and more efficient in terms of containing total health care costs.

The Crown Prince made the speech at the presentation ceremony for the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care yesterday.

Upon arrival at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, the Crown Prince was greeted by the Minister of Education Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abdul Aziz, who is also the Acting Minster of Health and members of the executive committee of the ceremony.

In his welcoming address the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Awang Haji Azahari in his capacity as the chairman of the ceremony said the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care was launched on February 9 2000 and completed their Vocational and Clinical Training at the end of January this year.

Twelve doctors from the Ministry of Health enrolled in the first group.

The Vocation Clinical Training involves two years rotation in relevant specialties in the hospital services and a year attachment in health centers in the community.

The Pro Vice Chancellor of University of London Professor Robert Boyd also delivered his speech at the ceremony.

The Crown Prince in a speech said Primary Health Care deserves both greater emphasis in the health care system.

The Crown Prince said the new millennium brings great changes to the Primary Health Care Service in Brunei.

His Royal Highness presented postgraduate diplomas in Primary Health Care to 12 doctors from the Ministry of Health who have completed their three years Vocational Clinical Training.

The postgraduate diploma in Primary Health Care is a three-year part-time modular course for postgraduate training in primary care.

It is organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Saint George's Hospital Medical School London and University Brunei Darussalam.

This remarkable development is the first of its kind in the country and it is a milestone for the progress of health services in Brunei.

This is part of the Ministry of Health's process in expanding the role and direction of the Primary Health Care system and in line with the ministry's 10 years National Health Care Plan in giving priority to Primary Health Care services.

It is aimed at acquiring fully trained doctors for Primary Health Care services to promote a high quality and holistic care for patients.

His Royal Highness also presented awards to three Best Students for session 2001-2002. They were Dayang Hajah Siti Haziah, Dayang Rafidah and Hajah Hashmet Parveen.

His Royal Highness then viewed an exhibition. There are 12 doctors from the Ministry of Health enrolled for the first group, nine are local doctors and three are expatriate doctors.

They underwent Vocational Clinical Training in the hospitals and health centres in rotation during the last three years.

The course has given them confidence and knowledge and these doctors share this by organising continuous medical education for the doctors of the Ministry of Health.

As part of the ministry's long-term future plan, all doctors in Brunei both in private and public sectors need to be fully vocationally trained in Primary Health Care.

At present there are 119 local doctors including 10 specialists in the Ministry of Health. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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