Around 50 to 60 years ago, Brunei Darussalam has significantly reduced the maternal and child mortality rate. However, statistics show that a further decrease in the said rate is not easy to achieve, especially with the increase in chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among young women of childbearing age. The Minister of Health underlined the matter in a message in conjunction with the World Health Day. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said the Ministry of Health provides proper and quality maternal healthcare services through 13 health centres and 13 health clinics that are accessible throughout the country, based on the universal health coverage concept.

The services aim to reduce health issues and maternal mortality rate by providing healthcare to mothers during pregnancy and after giving birth. Apart from that, during pregnancy and after giving birth, postnatal nursing care services at the home, health education, and women's health clinic are also provided. Comprehensive services including providing medication and essential nutritional supplements, as well as tests during pregnancy such as ultrasound tests are provided free of charge for all pregnant mothers, regardless of nationality, inline with the universal health coverage concept.

Apart from that, child health services for children aged 0-5 are also provided at 13 health centres and 3 health clinics, such as the Maternal Health Services Division. The child health services comprised various healthcare aspects, including nurse visits to the home for newly-born infants, routine development and physical assessment for children aged 0-5, provide vaccination to children and monitor the children's immunisation according to the schedule of the Brunei Darussalam's Expanded Programme on Immunisation Programme.

This year's celebration theme was 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures' that emphasised on the importance of starting a healthy life as the foundation for a brighter future. The theme focused on maternal and infant health on the first month. It also urged the government as well as the health community to further strive in ending preventable maternal and newborn death, and prioritised women's long -term health and well-being.

Source:
RTB NEWS

by RTB NEWS

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