RTB News: Cardiac Society Brunei Darussalam 7th Annual Scientific Meeting

Cardiovascular disease in Brunei Darussalam remains the second highest cause after cancer and contributed to nearly 25 per cent of deaths in 2018. Cardiovascular disease in Brunei Darussalam remains the second highest cause after cancer and contributed to nearly 25 percent of deaths in 2018. The Minister of Health explained that premature mortality rate for cardiovascular disease was 131 per 100 thousand, again higher among men than women. Speaking at the Cardiac Society Brunei Darussalam 7th Annual Scientific Meeting, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar explained that overall, premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease has increased from 20 per cent in 2013 to 26 per cent in 2018. The meeting was held yesterday morning at the Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre.

According to Yang Berhormat, in this new normal in the midst of the pandemic, it is especially important to think about new ways to deliver health care. Aside that, the minister said with the current epidemic of non-communicable diseases, they also have to think about leveraging the lessons they have learnt recently about digital health towards the management of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease.

The meeting placed special focus on heart disease among young people, importance of risk factor modification and the use of digital technology and machine learning in managing heart disease. The virtual meeting was attended by over 400 participants including 180 online participants from 13 countries. Yang Berhormat also presented the Fellowship Award to Doctor Rajinikanth Rajagopal, Consultant Cardiologist at Gleaneagles Jerudong Park Medical Centre.