Brunei Darussalam is fortunate as the country has an average clean air index, and all citizens and residents have access to clean water as well as safe food. In a message in conjunction with the World Health Day celebration, the Minister of Health said COVID-19 has a more serious impact to vulnerable groups, especially those who are living in areas with polluted air and no access to clean water as well as healthy and safe food. Not only it has adverse effect to health, but also to economy and social stability.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar also stated that most of the causes of climate change crisis are due to human activities themselves. An increase in the earth’s surface temperature can lead to an increase in the breeding of mosquitoes that carry diseases such as dengue and malaria. Extreme weather conditions and excessive development can also cause loss of life and communities can also lose their homes and sources of income. Pollution is not only limited to the land surface, but also occurs to marine life.
In the message, the Minister of Health called the public to work together in ensuring a more sustainable life so that the well-being of citizens and residents in Brunei Darussalam and the global population is always guaranteed. The public are urged to be responsible to ensure the environment is always clean and free from pollution, and practise ‘health in all policies’, in which every action taken and activity we do take into account its impact on health and the earth. World Health Day is celebrated every 7th of April worldwide. This year, the theme of the celebration is ‘Our Planet, Our Earth’.
Source: Radio Television Brunei