• Today: September 24, 2026

Brunei launches national laboratory strategic plan

Brunei Darussalam yesterday launched its National Laboratory Strategic Plan (BDNLSP) 2026–2030 that serves as a key operational document outlining a five-year roadmap to translate Brunei Darussalam’s national laboratory policy framework into coordinated action.

The launch was officiated by Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin and Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar at the Regional Public Health Laboratory Network Annual Partnership Forum 2026.

The implementation of BDNLSP is to align national laboratory development with Brunei Vision 2035, the International Health Regulations (2005), relevant national regulatory and legal framework and ministerial strategic plans.

Its scope encompasses laboratories contributing to public health functions with multi-sectoral stakeholders from various ministries, academic universities, and private laboratories.

The plan is guided by the vision of a resilient, sustainable, and accessible laboratory service that ensures excellence and protects public health through a unified One Health approach, and the mission to provide quality laboratory services and robust diagnostic capacity that support surveillance, partnerships, and timely action against public health threats in Brunei Darussalam.

The BDNLSP 2026–2030 is guided by four overarching strategies namely: Strengthening whole-of-nation governance and leadership to safeguard public health security for a resilient laboratory system; strengthening and optimising laboratory testing to provide integrated, reliable, accessible and high-quality services supporting public health and One Health priorities; strengthening national laboratory coordination and readiness for public health threats; and strengthening the laboratory regulatory framework for a resilient, safe and high-quality national system.

The key strategies are delivered through 10 thematic areas – Governance and Workforce Development; Financing, Procurement and Supply Chain Management; National Diagnostic Network; Quality and Safety Management System; Biorisk Management; Disease and Genomic Surveillance; Laboratory Emergency Management; Data and Information Management; One Health and Multisectoral Coordination; and Research and Development – comprising 21 sub-strategies and 49 action plans to be implemented over the five-year period. Following the launch, Professor Wang Linfa delivered a keynote speech titled ‘Future Ready Laboratory Systems: Transforming Challenges into Resilient and Rapid Action for Public Health Emergencies.

Through the Annual Partnership Forum, the RPHL Network seeks to strengthen the role of laboratories in global health security, enhance regional mechanisms for capacity building, identify priority flagship programmes and initiatives, facilitate the exchange of practical knowledge, and strengthen the visibility and connectivity of laboratory networks across the region.

Gathering close to 200 participants, both local and international, including member states of RPHL Network and representatives from development partners such as the Global Fund, ASEAN-UK, UKHSA, CEPI, DTRA, WHO, WOAH and APGI, the forum will continue until September 24, 2026, culminating in discussions on regional strategic investments to strengthen laboratory systems, sustainable financing and partnership models, identification of flagship programmes, reflections from partners and members, and a call for action towards greater regional laboratory preparedness. – James Kon

ABOVE & BELOW: Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin and Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar during the launch; and in a group photo. PHOTO: JAMES KON
PHOTO: JAMES KON

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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