BruneiDirect.Com

 .

Government Plans To Stem Rise In Kidney Cases
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - The number of kidney patients in Brunei is expected to increase between 40 and 60 each year and the main cause for the rise is due to the prevalence of diabetes.

The seriousness of the steep rise in patients suffering from kidney problems was highlighted by Dato Paduka Serbini bin Hj Ali, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, in his speech at the 7th Kidney Patients Association's Hari Raya gathering at Goodview Hotel, yesterday evening.

He said currently there are around 430 patients with kidney problems nationwide.

The Government of His Majesty has set up a renal department aimed at finding ways to tackle the problem, said Dato Serbini.

He also said that in the National Development Plan, the Ministry of Health is expected to build two more dialysis centres, one at Tutong District and the other at Kuala Belait. The Ministry of Health is also currently examining the need to have the same facility in Temburong District.

Advertisement
In an effort to stem the rise, the Ministry of Health is continuously promoting the healthy lifestyle campaign through frequent exercise and a balanced diet, he added.

The Permanent Secretary urged restaurants and food vendors to reduce the use of oil, sugar and salt in the food being sold. If they heed the advice, "owners of restaurants or food vendors will not only save cost but also assist the Ministry of Health in combating chronic diseases in the country", he added.

The government has always given priority to health issues in the nation and efforts to care for kidney patients were given due importance with the establishment of the nephrology unit in Hospital Besar Brunei three decades ago.

The Permanent Secretary hoped the Association of Kidney Patients could play a vital role in helping to raise awareness on kidney diseases among members of the public through campaigns that could see a reduction in the number of cases.   -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

 
HH01520A.gif (1047 bytes)
Back to News Page
 
 
PE03327A.gif (2805 bytes)
Write to Us

 

 
 

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with  

   

Copyright © 1999-2005
Brudirect.com
All rights reserved.
Revised: November 13, 2006.