30% Of Deaths In Brunei Caused By Heart Disease

Bandar Seri Begawan - Cardiovascular diseases lead to 30 per cent of deaths every year in Brunei Darussalam.

This was stated by the Acting Belait District Officer Awg Hj Mohamad bin Hj Abd Rahman, who was also the chief guest in an exhibition launching ceremony at the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait. The exhibition was held in conjunction with the Healthy Heart Month jointly organised by the Ministry of Health and., Gleneagles JPMC Sdn Bhd.

Also present during the launching were Ketua Kampong Lumut 1 Awg Hj Shafiee bin Ahmad, Chairman Awg Lee Cheow Seng and Chief Executive Officer of Suri Seri Begawan Hospital Awg Jamal bin Hj Tersad.

In his speech, the chief guest said His Majesty's government through the Ministry of Health and related agencies had continuously taken steps to prevent and treat the chronic disease by conducting awareness programmes for citizens and residents in the country.

"The official launching of Healthy Heart Month by the Minister of Health Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi on September 4 was another effort in our determination to deal with the disease," he said.

"Among factors causing heart diseases are inheritance, old age, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and stress.

"And the main factor that causes heart disease in the country is the use of tobacco or smoking whereby statistics show that 31.1 per cent of smokers are male and 5.3 per cent are female," he added.

The chief guest further stressed that smoking not only causes heart disease but also male impotence, quick ageing process, etc.

The Ministry of Health had organised many programmes to increase public awareness on the danger of cigarettes and smoking, steps to quit smoking, prevention from early smoking and the effects of cigarettes on passive smokers. This is all part of efforts to stop people in general from suffering chronic disease.

Apart from that, heart disease is also caused by obesity or excess body weight. In relation to that, the Ministry of Health had also conducted programmes to increase awareness on obesity and diseases caused by it through the Weight Management programme.

The chief guest pointed out that the tasks of carrying out health maintenance programmes are not only mandatory responsibilities of government agencies in particular the Ministry of Health but also a continuous activity for non-government associations and individuals.

Health promotion should also be brought into existence so the concept of `Health is Everyone's Business' would be followed the Brunei community, he added.

The chief guest concluded his speech by urging members of the public particularly in the Belait District to prevent the risks of heart diseases by doing more physical activities and to stay away from tobacco.

A free health screening will be held at the hospital on September 18 from loam to 3pm.

On the same day, a talk covering topics on how to prevent the next heart attack, primary prevention of heart attack and a cardiac rehab will also be held at the GJPMC/RIPAS from 2 to 4pm.

Members of the public are urged to take opportunity of the free health screening and gain more knowledge on the heart disease through the talk. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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