Brunei’s Efforts to Curb Tuberculosis Highlighted on World TB Day

Bandar Seri Begawan: In Brunei Darussalam, Tuberculosis remains one of the burdens of infectious diseases. The number of TB cases and the incidence rate of TB for the past 3 years per 100,000 population in 2024 was at 9.62%; in 2023 at 16.07% and 3.86% in 2022. This was underlined by the Minister of Health in a message in conjunction with World TB Day.

According to Radio Television Brunei, to achieve the target of reducing the number of TB cases in the country, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar stated that the Ministry of Health is focusing on several strategies and actions to control TB. These include increasing and improving the TB surveillance system; updating the Tuberculosis Control Guidelines in Brunei Darussalam with specialists from the World Health Organization; and increasing awareness among all parties including health professionals.

The Minister of Health also stated that although the rate of TB resistance to anti-TB drugs, as well as TB infection cases among HIV, TB HIV patients in the country, is very low, efforts for early detection and immediate initiation of treatment need to be enhanced. The Ministry of Health is committed and will continue to be proactive in ensuring that these challenges are always under control. This year’s theme: ‘Yes! We Can End T-B: Commit, Invest, Deliver’ emphasises the hope, need for urgent action, and responsibility of all parties in ending the threat of TB worldwide.