Isham Jaafar
Isham Jaafar | |
|---|---|
| اشعام جعفر | |
 MinisterIsham in 2024 | |
| 7thMinister of Health | |
| Assumed office 1 December 2017 | |
| Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Preceded by | Zulkarnain Hanafi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brunei |
| Spouse | Noraslinah Ramlee |
| Alma mater | University of Dundee(MBChB) |
| Profession | Cardiothoracic surgeon |
Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafaris aBruneianphysician who currently serves as the currentMinisterof Healthsince 2017.
Education
[edit]Isham graduated fromUniversity of Dundeewith aBachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgerydegreein 1995 and later completed hisspecialisttraining inCardiothoracic Surgeryat theInstitut Jantung Negara(IJN),Malaysia.[1]He then completed hisfellowshipin Cardiothoracic Surgery at theRoyal Papworth Hospital,Cambridge.[1]Moreover, in 2014, he acquired fellowship recognition from theRoyal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,American College of Cardiologyand the ASEAN Cardiology Congress.[2]Royal College of Surgeons of EdinburghandEuropean Society of Cardiologyrecognize Isham's fellowship in 2015.[1]
Medical career
[edit]In 2005, he became theConsultantCardiothoracic Surgeon at the Cardiac Centre Gleneagles JPMC. Since November 2009, Isham was promoted to the position of aChairmanamongJerudong Park Medical Centre(JMPC)'sboard of directorsand theexecutive directorofPantai Jerudong Specialist Centre(PJSC).[3][4][5]Under his leadership, both JPMC and PJSC'slaboratoryhave been accredited respectively by theJoint Commission International(JCI) in 2014 andInternational Standardization Organization(ISO) in 2017.[6]On December 1, 2017, Isham was appointed the Minister of Health by replacingZulkarnain Hanafiafter being consented bySultanHassanal Bolkiah.[7][8]
First LVAD
[edit]At apress conferenceheld at GleneaglesJPMC(GJPMC) on 29 November 2014, Health MinisterAdanan Yusofrevealed that Brunei's firstleft ventricular assist device(LVAD) has just been installed in a patient withheart condition.Mumtazali Mohd Abdul Aziz, 51, reportedly had a mechanical heart implant that allowed him to lead a somewhat normal life following surgery. On 11 November, asurgical teamled by Dato Isham installed an LVAD under the supervision of Professor Dr. Jaap Lahpor of theNetherlands,a leading expert in the installation of mechanical cardiac devices.[9]
COVID-19 pandemic
[edit]At a press conference held at the MOH on 13 April 2020, Dato Isham said that the development of patients testing positive once more forCOVID-19is extremely concerning because it is still unknown how the new virus infects and how it will evolve. Seven additional patients were revealed to have tested positive for the coronavirus once more after the recent finding of one repeating patient, bringing the total to eight.[10]For individuals who fall into certain criteria, the secondCOVID-19 booster shotadministration will begin on 15 June 2022. Dato Isham revealed this at a news conference held at the Al-'Afiah Hall, Ministry of Health (MoH). According to him, despite having had three priorvaccines,older people and those with weakerimmune systemsare more likely to experience serious side effects with COVID-19.[11]
MOH Intelligence Hub
[edit]At the EVYD Campus in Brunei's Jerudong, the MOH and Singapore-based EVYD Technology officially opened the MOH Intelligence Hub. The ministry wants to aggressively use technology to advance Brunei's healthcare ecosystem's global-leading digital optimization. Dato Isham stated:[12]
MOH Intelligence Hub in EVYD Campus demonstrates the strategic relationship among healthcare technology, data analytics, research and policy planning. It will function as a sandbox for collaboration, knowledge generation and practice transformation. The Hub will provide a co-working space for different teams dealing with data and intelligence. Facilitating these enhanced interactions all in one location will provide Brunei with more value-added insights to craft data-driven decisions around population health with greater confidence.
— Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar,BioSpectrum
Views
[edit]Dato Isham emphasized the significance of creating and maintaining efficient systems and capability for avoiding, identifying, and handling public health catastrophes. On 25 and 26 August 2022, he delivered a speech at the 12thAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) on Health and the Economy meeting inBangkok.In addition, he emphasized the necessity for continuous monitoring based on transparency and the use ofdigital technologyto link information throughout the world, as well as for assessing, modernising, and reforming theglobal healthsecurity system.[13]
According to Dato Isham, the future health budget would increase as a result of the rising price ofprescription drugsandmedical care,an increase in the number of patients, and the prevalence ofnon-communicable diseases.Speaking before theLegislative Council,he suggested a $418 million health budget for thefiscal year2023–24, an increase of 8.3% over the amount allotted the year before. Despite the government's best efforts, the minister noted,chronic health problemsincludingdiabetes,malignancies,andheart diseaseremain on the rise.[14]
Dato Isham urged students majoring in medicine,dentistry,and similar health fields to pursue extracurricular activities while pursuing their medical degrees during a discussion meeting with the MoH's leadership on 21 July 2024. According to him, the necessity for other sectors likeinformation technologyandartificial intelligenceis growing as medical services expand. In addition, he urged students to become members ofnon-governmental organizations(NGOs), even if they have nothing to do with health.[15][16]
Initiatives
[edit]At the 7th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Brunei Darussalam, Dato Isham stated that overall, cardiovascular disease-relatedprematuremortalityrose from 20% in 2013 to 26% in 2018. According to him, it is crucial to consider fresh approaches to providinghealthcarein this new normal brought on by the epidemic. In addition, the minister stated that in light of the present pandemic of non-communicable illnesses, they must consider using the recent lessons in digital health to the treatment of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Young people's heart disease, the significance of risk factor modification, and the application of digital technologies and machine learning in the management of heart disease were all given particular attention during the meeting.[17]
Isham Jaafar paid a visit to the School of Public HealthNUSon 8 February 2023 as part of follow-up conversations following the signing of anMemorandum of Understanding(MoU). He was joined by members of the Brunei High Commission as well as his wife, Datin Dr. Hajah Norsurainah @ Noraslinah binti Haji Ramlee. Along with Prof Teo Yik Ying and the other Vice Deans present, they offered their insightful knowledge of public health issues and perspectives on population health efforts.[18]
At the third iteration of the Youth Town Hall Brunei, Young Professional Networks (YPN) and theMinistry of Culture, Youth and Sports(MCYS) recently sponsored a discussion with senior government officials. Youths had the chance to interact with two officials,Badaruddin Othmanand Isham Jaafar, at the forum with the theme Leading in Times of Uncertainty, which highlighted how times of crisis and uncertainty are frequently times of reckoning and a chance to reflect, learn important lessons, and uncover new opportunities. The goal of the discussion is to inspire young people to overcome the COVID-19 disruptions by being more resilient and prepared, especially given that the epidemic is still spreading around the world.[19]
Personal life
[edit]Isham is married to Datin Dr. Hajah Norsurainah @ Noraslinah binti Haji Ramlee.[18]During his personal free time, he enjoysgolfandracquet sportssuch asbadminton,tennis,andtable tennis.[1]Additionally, he stated that he enjoys playingFIFAon thePlayStation.[15][16]
Honours
[edit]
Order of Setia Negara BruneiFirst Class (PSNB; 15 July 2018) –Dato Seri Setia[2][20]
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota BruneiSecond Class (DPMB; 2011) –Dato Paduka[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcd"YB Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Md Isham Bin Haji Jaafar | JPMC Brunei".Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^abc"Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar – ASEAN Digital Public Health Conference".Archived fromthe originalon 27 December 2021.Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^"Board of Directors | JPMC Brunei".8 February 2021.Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^"Board Of Directors - PJSC Brunei".17 December 2021.Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^"Berita 2021b - JPMC, PJSC raikan Hari Kualiti Sedunia, Hari..."www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn.Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^"International Accreditation | JPMC Brunei".16 February 2021.Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^"Appointment of New Brunei Health Minister".Appointment of New Brunei Health Minister.Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^"Minister of Health, Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Isham Hj Jaafar | Borneo Bulletin Online".Retrieved27 August2022.
- ^"First heart device implant in Brunei | The BT Archive".btarchive.org.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^Network, Borneo Bulletin/Asia News (14 April 2020)."COVID-19 recurring cases very worrying, says Brunei minister".INQUIRER.net.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^Azahari, Izah (14 June 2022)."Second booster for high-risk groups in Brunei".Asia News Network.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^"Brunei launches MOH Intelligence Hub to optimise country's digital healthcare ecosystem".Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^"Capacity and systems vital in public health, says Brunei minister".The Star.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^Bakar, Rasidah Hj Abu (22 March 2023)."Rise in chronic disease, drug costs to send health budget on upward trend".The Scoop.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^abHui Yun, Law (22 July 2024)."Già lỗ đông hải than chuyên khoa trung tâm dữ vệ bộ lĩnh đạo tằng đối thoại".We Are United(in Chinese).Retrieved24 July2024.
- ^ab"Medical students encouraged to broaden horizons".Borneo Bulletin Online.22 July 2024.Retrieved24 July2024.
- ^"RTB News: Cardiac Society Brunei Darussalam 7th Annual Scientific Meeting".Brunei Cardiac Society.21 October 2021.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^ab"School Visit by Delegation from Ministry of Health of Brunei Darussalam".sph.nus.edu.sg.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^"Ministers share insights on leadership at youth town hall - The Bruneian".15 August 2022.Retrieved28 April2023.
- ^"His Majesty's 72nd Birthday Celebration Audience and Investiture Ceremony"(PDF).Brunei Darussalam Newsletter.Vol. 33, no. 7. July 2018. p. 7.