The Ministry of Health's (MoH) goal is to empower individuals and communities to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.

It is important to develop choice architecture based on health intelligence towards nudging individuals towards healthier choices for themselves and their families, said Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Dr. Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, the Minister of Health.

The minister made these remarks in his plenary address while leading a delegation from Brunei Darussalam to the 69th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland that commenced May 23, 2016.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the minister expressed Brunei Darussalam's firm support for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which aims to drive the health sector forward towards a more holistic framework.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call attention to the need for 'Health-in-All' policies and effective intersectoral collaboration to realise health outcomes especially in tackling non-communicable diseases. Successful implementation demands a paradigm shift in our approach requiring leadership beyond the health sector to develop a motivated and engaged population.

The importance of the whole of nation approach towards achieving the SDGs is especially well-aligned with the three strategic priorities of Ministry of Health which are inculcating the concept of 'Health is Everyone's Business', preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases, and delivering excellent services through alignment and consolidation.

The minister said that the Ministry of Health has undertaken a comprehensive review and restructure to ensure that the current organisational structure is fit for purpose.

The 69th World Health Assembly was attended by health ministers and representatives from 194 member nations of the World Health Organization (WHO). This year, the theme for the World Health Assembly is 'Transforming the World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development'.

Among the issues discussed at the World Health Assembly were Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, Draft Global Plan of Action on Violence, Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, Health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Strengthening Essential Public Health Functions in Support of the Achievement of Universal Health Coverage and Preparedness, Surveillance and Response to Communicable Diseases.

Prior to the World Health Assembly, the Minister of Health led the Brunei Darussalam delegation for the 28th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting on May 22 in Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting was also attended by health ministers, senior officers and representatives from various international agencies from the 53 member states of the Commonwealth.

The theme for this year's Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting was 'Health Security and Access to Universal Health Coverage'.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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