Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) students visited the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) yesterday as part of their SP3304 Health Policy course. The students are from the Department of Public Policy and Administration.

Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah also took part in the educational visit.

The SP3304 Health Policy course covers issues related on health policy and its relationship to health care systems including the global perspective of health care systems, the strengths and weaknesses of some approaches, present and future directions of health policy, assessing health needs and designing healthy programmes.

According to one of the students, the visit was necessary in their study of Brunei healthcare system to include the contributions of private healthcare providers.

The visit also aimed to introduce a new study environment for the students, in the presence of experts and authentic materials. It also provided students with an overall outlook of how health systems are carried out on a national and international basis.

During the visit, they were briefed by Dr Samuel Christaprasad Karat, the Acting Medical Director. He touched on the health issues and initiatives in Brunei Darussalam, such as the mortality rates, common communicable and non-communicable diseases and other health related issues.

Sures Muniandy, the Marketing and Communications Manager, also shared the health promotion activities by JPMC to create awareness and stimulate public interest especially for cancer and heart diseases.

Mr Tan Seang Teak, the General Manager of JPMC, also shared some of his views on the current trends of research and administration management in the Healthcare industry.

Students were also given goodie bags by Mr Tan at the end of the visit. - Borneo Bulletin (14th Apr 2009)