BRUNEI is far behind developed countries in
population-doctor ratio, informed the Health Minister yesterday.
Quoting a 2010
Statistics Report, the minister said the Sultanate has a ratio of 736 residents
to one doctor, which shows that the country needs more health professionals.
At the
Eighth Legislative Council (LegCo) session, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya
Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri
Setia Hj Md Yusof said the report indicated that the resident-doctor ratio in
developed countries was 170:300.
The
lack of manpower, particularly in the medical profession, in meeting the needs
of citizens and residents of the country, consist of medical doctors, public
health, dentistry, pharmacists and Allied Health Professionals, the minister
said.
In
addition, the resident to pharmacist ratio in Brunei was 9,637:1, while
developed countries were 730-1,200:1.
Despite
these challenges, the minister said the country has achieved its target set
under the Health-Related Millennium Development Goals in reducing the infant
mortality rate, improving maternal healthcare, fighting HIV/AIDS and infectious
diseases.
From
1978 to 2010, the infant mortality rate per 1,000 livebirths was reduced from
20 to 6.1.
Meanwhile
for the Under-5 mortality rate per 1,000 livebirths, it was reduced from 16 to
7.3 from 1984 to 2010.
The
minister added life expectancy rate also saw a rise from 76.7 years in 2006 to
77.7 years in 2010.
YB
Pehin Dato Hj Adanan said the professional health workforce is the driving
force behind the health care system and services in the country.
In this
regard, he said it must be noted that local health professional statistics at
the ministry have risen from time to time. "For example in 2007, we had
181 doctors including 24 local specialists, who made up 35 per cent of the
total number of doctors in the country.
In 2011
however, the number increased to 43 per cent comprising 247 doctors including
37 specialists," he said.
The
minister said the ministry will continue paying serious attention in developing
the capacity of human resources among local health professionals, through
courses in various expertise and specialties to meet present and future needs.
"It
is hoped that with the existence of the new Doctoral Services Scheme and health
career promotion, such as the Health Career Carnival which was held on February
7, would encourage more locals to choose the health profession as their
career," he said.
YB
Pehin Dato Hj Adanan said the ministry has taken a new initiative to overcome
shortage and will start a Pharmacy Technician Course with the cooperation of
the Ministry of Education (MoE) to meet the requirements of professional health
workforce.
He said
the first intake will commence in July, and that the ministry will continue to
explore potential in organising professional health courses in collaboration
with MoE.
RACHEL
THIEN
The
Brunei Times
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