Group 3 (COP3) of the 31st Executive Development Programme for the Middle Management Officers (EDPMMO) under the Community Outreach Programme (COP) organised by Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) held a webinar in collaboration with the Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health, and Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) on raising awareness in dealing with stroke among civil servants in the country.
A total of 82 participants, representing several different Government Ministries, took part in the half-day webinar. The guest speakers were Dr John Mathew, Consultant and Head, Department of Neurosurgery of Pantai Jerudong Specialist Center; Siti Nadzirah Haji Abdullah, Psychologist, Health Promotion Centre of Ministry of Health; and Siti Nadhirah Haji Rawi, Health Education Officer, Health Promotion Centre of Ministry of Health.
The webinar comprised of two sessions. The first session was on Prevalence of Stroke in Brunei Darussalam delivered by Dr John Mathew where he explained, among others, the warning signs of a stroke and the predisposing factors for stroke.
The second session focused on Healthy Life Choices to minimise stroke occurrences. In this session, Siti Nadzirah talked about the seriousness of mental health illness which can lead to the increase of blood pressure resulting to stroke. While Siti Nadhirah highlighted on the importance of maintaining healthy nutrition including, among others, lessening intake of salt in our food.
Dr John Mathew highlighted, among others, the importance of controlling the ‘3s’ (i.e. salt, sugar and starch); and added that the impact of stroke is not just on the patient, but also their family members.
The webinar ended with a question-and-answer session where a number of significant questions were posed to the presenters ranging from the medical aspect relating to stroke – to attaining a healthy diet – and importance of mental health.
