(Bandar Seri Begawan, 11th) The Brunei Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, held the world's first domestic trainer training for a chronic disease management program targeting obesity from June 9th to 10th.
The two-day training was attended by 41 participants, including medical experts, nurses, and allied health professionals from relevant departments of the Ministry of Health. This program marks an important milestone in strengthening the nation’s capacity to tackle obesity through primary health care services.
The aim of the training was to enhance the capabilities of healthcare providers, with a focus on equipping frontline health workers and primary care doctors with the knowledge and skills to manage obesity via comprehensive, long-term chronic disease management methods. The training also emphasized the important role of multidisciplinary teams in providing effective obesity prevention and management services across all age groups.
The course was jointly led by officers from the WHO Representative Offices in Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, and WHO Headquarters in Geneva. Their technical expertise and guidance provided valuable insights into delivering evidence-based, person-centered obesity care. Healthcare personnel from the RIPAS Hospital Obesity Clinic also partnered with WHO officials to carry out the training.
"Dr. Wong Ai Li, Chairperson of the Obesity Taskforce, mentioned in her welcome remarks, “Brunei is honored to be among the pioneer countries for WHO’s Accelerating Action to Stop Obesity initiative, highlighting our nation’s commitment to take early, decisive, and coordinated action to curb the increasing burden of overweight and obesity throughout the life course. We are proud that WHO has chosen to pilot this jointly developed training workshop here.”
This domestic training helps develop a standardized, practical, and adaptable curriculum for the WHO’s chronic disease care program for obesity that can fit different country contexts.
Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative for Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, stated, “The Brunei Ministry of Health has taken decisive steps to enhance Brunei’s capacity to respond to obesity and related noncommunicable diseases. This training is an important investment in the long-term health of the population and will empower health professionals to translate policies into effective action.”
Obesity is a major risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and certain cancers. People living with obesity are also at higher risk of developing other conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, mental health issues, metabolic fatty liver disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Childhood obesity is particularly concerning as it is linked to an increased risk of adult obesity, premature mortality, and disability. In addition to its impact on physical health, obesity also affects the psychological and social well-being of children and adolescents.
In view of the increasingly severe threat posed by obesity, Brunei is actively participating in the WHO “Accelerating Action to Stop Obesity” initiative, demonstrating its determination to address obesity. As part of this commitment, the Ministry of Health established an Obesity Taskforce in 2024 to develop comprehensive strategies and strengthen the health system’s ability in obesity prevention and management.
It is hoped that this capacity-building initiative will support the provision of more convenient and effective obesity prevention and management services for people of all ages, adopting a life-course approach to improve the health status of Brunei’s population.
The two-day training was attended by 41 participants, including medical experts, nurses, and allied health professionals from relevant departments of the Ministry of Health. This program marks an important milestone in strengthening the nation’s capacity to tackle obesity through primary health care services.
The course was jointly led by officers from the WHO Representative Offices in Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, and WHO Headquarters in Geneva. Their technical expertise and guidance provided valuable insights into delivering evidence-based, person-centered obesity care. Healthcare personnel from the RIPAS Hospital Obesity Clinic also partnered with WHO officials to carry out the training.
"Dr. Wong Ai Li, Chairperson of the Obesity Taskforce, mentioned in her welcome remarks, “Brunei is honored to be among the pioneer countries for WHO’s Accelerating Action to Stop Obesity initiative, highlighting our nation’s commitment to take early, decisive, and coordinated action to curb the increasing burden of overweight and obesity throughout the life course. We are proud that WHO has chosen to pilot this jointly developed training workshop here.”
This domestic training helps develop a standardized, practical, and adaptable curriculum for the WHO’s chronic disease care program for obesity that can fit different country contexts.
Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative for Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, stated, “The Brunei Ministry of Health has taken decisive steps to enhance Brunei’s capacity to respond to obesity and related noncommunicable diseases. This training is an important investment in the long-term health of the population and will empower health professionals to translate policies into effective action.”
Obesity is a major risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and certain cancers. People living with obesity are also at higher risk of developing other conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, mental health issues, metabolic fatty liver disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Childhood obesity is particularly concerning as it is linked to an increased risk of adult obesity, premature mortality, and disability. In addition to its impact on physical health, obesity also affects the psychological and social well-being of children and adolescents.
In view of the increasingly severe threat posed by obesity, Brunei is actively participating in the WHO “Accelerating Action to Stop Obesity” initiative, demonstrating its determination to address obesity. As part of this commitment, the Ministry of Health established an Obesity Taskforce in 2024 to develop comprehensive strategies and strengthen the health system’s ability in obesity prevention and management.
It is hoped that this capacity-building initiative will support the provision of more convenient and effective obesity prevention and management services for people of all ages, adopting a life-course approach to improve the health status of Brunei’s population.