Princess extols healthy lifestyle
By Za'im Zaini

The responsibility of every citizen in distancing oneself and the country from any infectious disease was highlighted yesterday in a sabda by Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah at the Healthy Children 2007 Contest for Brunei Muara District which she launched yesterday at the ICC.

In a sabda, the Princess said that the easiest example is through disposing rubbish. "However, if the rubbish disposal facilities provided by government agencies are not used or abused, then all efforts and investment put in by the government for the upkeep of a healthy population will bear no results," she added.

Every time we throw rubbish indiscriminately, we expose ourselves to the threat of an epidemic and disease.

HRH Princess Hjh Rashidah said that it is also similar to the reality of the improper use of medicine - especially antibiotics that are not consumed according to doctor's orders, because such acts increases the possibility of side effects and the problem of resistance or immunity towards antibiotics.

Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that abuse of antibiotics has caused the emergence of a number of diseases that are difficult to treat with existing medicines.

Every consumer must know that every medicine has its own risk, especially those given to children. One way to prevent this is by finding out more about the medicine through information from professional sources.

"Thus, we all must play an active role in practising a healthy lifestyle and follow the advice of experts and health agencies in the country. It is hoped that we will be a healthy society for a promising and safe future," she observed.

This year's competition takes the theme of the World Health Day 2007 that is "Invest in Health , build a safer future".

This theme brings a huge meaning to the value of life upon which we build our future and our children's future.

"Health is amongst the gifts from Allah (Swt) that is valuable and meaningful to every individual," HRH said.

The epidemics in the recent past are mostly a result of lifestyle that does not prioritise a clean environment, she observed.

Our society, with blessings and protection from Allah (swt), has not experienced diseases that ravaged other countries.

Efforts by His Majesty's government have always been implemented and increased to protect our nation from the threat of diseases such as SARS and bird flu.

Earlier, Her Royal Highness expressed appreciation to the co-chairman as well as the committee members of the Healthy Children Competition 2007 of Brunei-Muara District for inviting her to officiate the prize presentation ceremony to mark His Majesty the Sultan's 61st birthday celebration. - Borneo Bulletin (25th August 2007)


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