BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Agencies): Brunei has launched a new programme to provide Type 2 diabetes patients with advice on healthy nutrition, exercise, and blood sugar monitoring, local media reported on Sunday.
With an estimated one in 10 persons in Brunei affected by Type 2 diabetes and the rising complications such as kidney failure, blindness and amputations, the Ministry of Health (MoH) launched the BALANCE programme through the BruHealth application
According to local daily Borneo Bulletin, the program, named "BALANCE," allows Brunei's Ministry of Health to assess the impact of digital interventions on improving diabetes management, focusing on lifestyle changes and self-management.
Brunei's ministry also rolled out an initiative to promote walking and other forms of exercise to increase daily steps, either individually or in groups, according to the report.
In Brunei, the local dietary customs include a preference for sweet foods, and obesity and diabetes are relatively common among citizens.
The health ministry also highlighted that the efforts to enhance health literacy will continue, aiming to boost public awareness and responsibility in maintaining good health and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Record also shows that diabetes is the third leading cause of death in Brunei with a prevalence of 9.7%. In 2017, the disease contributed to 10.1% of the total deaths in the sultanate. - Agencies
