March 21, 2023 - Page 2 of 3 - Brunei News Gazette

Socialisation Programme

The National Standards Centre, NSC under the Ministry of Finance and Economy, in collaboration with the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority, BDFA held a socialisation programme on the Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP for Food Industry. The programme took place at Dewan Al-Afiah, Berakas, Ministry of Health yesterday morning.

It was held to raise awareness of the 'Piawai Brunei Darussalam' under the Good Manufacturing Practice to the local food processing industry. The standard provides guidance on the multiple important elements for food manufacturing, whereby cleanliness and safety is vital; from the time of receiving the raw materials, including the handling of these ingredients and its processing, the packaging &amp;amp;amp; storage of the finished processed food up to the selling or marketing of these processed food products. Also held was a presentation on the role of NSC in the development of National Standards. The programme was attended by 110 participants comprising stakeholders from various government departments and the private sector, service providers and higher education institutions.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Routine Cleanliness Monitoring

Five individuals and six companies were issued compound fines amounting to $4,100 for committing an offence under the Miscellaneous Offences Act (Amended) 2021 Chapter 30 for throwing garbage in public places. This was the result of operations conducted by the Law Enforcement Division of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department from February to March 2023.

According to the Act, the compound rate for any individual or company issued a compound for an offense under Chapter 12 or any offence is a fine not exceeding $1,000, and a fine not exceeding $2,000 for companies. The compound fines must be settled within 7 days to the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Excellent Student Award Presentation

30 students from the Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre received the Excellent Student Award for the GCE A-Level examination for October-November 2022. The ceremony was held yesterday morning at the school.

The award was presented by Awang Haji Metusin bin Haji Jais, Acting Senior Special Duties Officer for Professional, Department of Schools, Ministry of Education. Among the awards presented include the best student for those obtaining 3A's and above, best student for each subject and the exemplary student award.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

National Spelling Bee Competition

132 students from Year 1 to Year 11 competed in the final of the Brunei Darussalam National Spelling Bee Competition 2023. The competition took place at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

In attendance, Awang Julaihi bin Mohamad, Acting Director of Department of Co-Curriculum Education, Ministry of Education. The competition's goal was to celebrate children's spelling achievement in English apart from elevating the competition nationwide. It was organised by the Ministry of Education through the Department Of Co-Curriculum Education in collaboration with CfBT Brunei.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

School Hours during Ramadhan

The Ministry of Education has announced schools hours during Ramadhan for primary and secondary schools, colleges and sixth form centres nationwide.

Primary schools will begin at 7:45 to 11:40 in the morning. For secondary schools, colleges and sixth form centres, morning session will begin from 7:45 to 11:50 in the morning for the morning session, while the afternoon session starts at 12 to 4 in the afternoon. Pre-school students will be given revised learning hours according to the discretion of the respective school.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Launch of Industry Guidance Note

The Industry Guidance Note (IGN) can provide public understanding on the importance of providing and maintaining suitable facilities for emergency treatment or first aid at the workplace, appoint and train first aid providers, keep workplace treatment records for a period not less than five years as well as creating best practices for workplace first aid. Yesterday morning, Safety, Health and Environment National Authority, SHENA launched the IGN.

The guide was launched by Ingenieur Awang Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Zakaria, Permanent Secretary (Infrastructure, Housing and Professional) Ministry of Development as Chairman of SHENA Board of Directors. The function continued with distribution of the guide books to relevant agencies. Also present was Dayang Nur Al-Ain binti Dr Haji Abdullah, SHENA Acting Temporary Chief Executive Officer. The ceremony took place at Kampung Anggerek Desa.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Financial Aid Based On Evaluation

The council reconvened yesterday afternoon by deliberating topics under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The issue of the aid amount not reaching and covering the losses incurred by fire victims or aid recipients was raised by Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports explained that the disaster aid provided is intended to ease the burden of the victims and not to fully compensate for the loss or loss of property.

The Minister said that the rate of financial assistance given is subject to the Department of Community Development, JAPEM's investigation, evaluation and approach according to the guidelines in force. Aside from financial assistance, food rations, basic necessities and temporary accommodation will also be handed out to disaster victims. Apart from JAPEM, there are also other agencies that will provide disaster relief such as the Brunei Islamic Religious Council and Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

World Down Syndrome Day Celebration

The Ministry of Health organised the World Down Syndrome Day celebration, which carried the theme 'With Us, Not For Us'. The event was held at the Child Development Centre.

This year, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, NGO organised various activities and events to raise public awareness on the rights and well-being of Down Syndrome individuals. For the last 20 years, about 10 children were born with Down Syndrome every year in the country. Present was Awang Abdol Hazis bin Haji Ahad, Acting Special Grade Chief Executive Officer of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Ministry Of Health Project Main Core

Several planned projects of the Ministry of Health will focus on 3 Main Cores.

The Minister of Health said these projects include the introduction of a standard to be used in non-clinical services to enable appointed companies achieve the required quality; Shortlisting companies with the skills and trained personnel in identified fields and at the same time giving space for locals to be trained and opening up job opportunities. The ministry will also collaborate with local institutions including private institutions to together handle programme required to reach the skills needed especially for locals.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Saving Measures for Medicine

Saving measures for medicine raised by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim was also explained by the Minister of Health.

Yang Berhormat the Minister of Health said that one of the savings or reduction of spending measures on medicine is by engaging with a local Government Linked Company, GLC in which the company is able to collect more of the medicine in volume. The GLC can then combine the number of medicine from the Ministry of Health and the private sector to make up a higher volume which in turn will result in a cheaper price. Another way is by educating the public on the importance of taking medicine and appreciating the amount spent by the Government to ensure their well-being and finally is through effective management of procurement and storage so that there is no wastage.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Achieve Strategic Health Plan Goals

In implementing roles and responsibilities, the Ministry of Health aims to achieve several objectives under the 2019-2020 Strategic Plan such as Excellence In Healthcare Service, Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, Public Health Protection Through Effective Policy and Regulations AND Transparent and Proactive Governance. The Minister of Health said the Ministry is focusing on six clusters towards achieving the said goals.

The clusters are Improving Quality of Service Delivery To The Public which includes delivering excellent services. Continuously evaluating if outsourcing is better than internal service. Improved screening of people's health for communicable and non-communicable diseases. Enhancing Laboratory Service Capability with more advanced and sophisticated laboratory tests. Improving cooperation with the private sector using the Public-Private Partnership or PPP method through the Fiscal Consolidation, FCP Programme. Increasing government income through efficient revenue collection practices and providing easy access to services and treatment.

Source: Radio Television Brunei

Health Is Everyone’s Responsibility

"Kesihatan adalah Tanggungjawab Semua" or Health is Everyone's Responsibility is the Ministry of Health's budget theme this year. Introducing the Ministry's proposed budget allocation, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, the Minister of Health shared that the theme outlines the importance of achieving preparedness using acquired resources in a more economic and efficient way.

The Minister said, a generation responsible for their own health and the health of those around them reflect a more positive future for the nation. With healthier people, the future generation will be more productive and able to generate sustainable national socio-economic growth. During the COVID-19 Pandemic that disrupted the comfort and harmony of the people's life, the country's citizens and residents showed responsibility, caring and cooperation towards advice from the Government. The majority of the people cooperated and obeyed directives and advice from the government in controlling the spread of the pandemic, inline with the whole-of-nation approach. Yang Berhormat added this will be our strength that will bring tangible change in future national health achievements.

Source: Radio Television Brunei