Transcript Brunei Darussalam: Experience in Health Crisis Management

JUNIADEE AHMAD
(Acting) Chief Executive Officer
Public Relation Division
Ministry of Health
Brunei Darussalam
 2005
– ‘Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam
Influenza Pandemic Plan’
 Media
and Public Relations Communications SubCommittee
 Roles:
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Ensure that MoH will be able to respond to the
public risk communications challenges;
Includes efficient flow of accurate & consistent
information;
Facilitate communication between government
agencies, privates sectors, national &
international communities;
As well as providing accurate and relevant
information to the general public through the
media and other communication channels.
 ‘influenza
like illness’ (a.k.a. human swine
influenza) was 1st reported on March 2009
 1st
press release was issued on April 2009
 WHO
declared pandemic Phase 6 (11 June
2009)
 Brunei
declared pandemic Phase 6 on 20
June 2009 (10 confirmed cases)
 All
10 cases had history of flying to affected
countries – all their contacts were traced and
quarantined.
 As
of 23 June 2009, 184 cases confirmed with
H1N1
 Border


Thermal scanning / aural thermometer screening
at the International Airport & other ports of
entry
Health Declaration Forms
 Health


surveillance
centres & hospitals
Flu desks to screen patients
Surveillance to assess community transmission in
selected health facilities
 Contact





tracing & Quarantine
Strengthening of activity
Finding out the confirmed cases movements and
activities before seeking medical attention
Getting list of contacts & contacting them to
check if any symptoms
Assessing suitability of home quarantine for close
contacts
Monitoring twice daily for contacts under
quarantine
 Vaccination

Vaccination for Influenza A (H1N1) given
 Laboratory

Rapid Antigen Tests & RT-PCR Influenza A &
Influenza A (H1N1) – all available locally
 Personal
Hygeine


capability
Protective Equipment & Personal
Masks are to be used by front liners including
Immigration and Customs staff
More shops should be selling & displaying near
the payment counter – masks, hand sanitizer,
tissues etc.
 Travel





advise
Postpone or delay traveling abroad unless if
necessary
Reducing training or meeting abroad
If ill overseas to seek medical attention and
delay traveling back to Brunei
If ill after returning back to Brunei, to seek
medical attention immediately
Reducing social interactions at least for 7 days
after returning from affected countries
 Students

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Almost one thousand thermometers and 10k
masks given out to schools
Teachers will be checking students’ temperature
before entering class
Clean environment and hygiene in schools
Hand washing practice
Parents not to send their children to school if ill
Phase 1: No new influenza virus sub-types detected in
human – low risk of human infection
Focus
Establish
communication
team
Plan of Action
– Gather info
– Monitor media through the
newspapers, TV, internet,
WHO
– Conduct meetings as and
when required
– Develop TOR and
communication plan
Phase 2: No new influenza virus sub-types detected in
human – however substantial risk of human disease
Focus
Create
awareness
Plan of Action
– Production of leaflets and
posters
Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but
no human-to-human spread
Focus
Plan of Action
Update public If Brunei not affected
and health care • Communication team activated
workers on
• Issue circulars and memos to update
disease
and alert healthcare and other
situation
stakeholders on current situation
• Continuing education for healthcare
Reassure public
workers
• Series of media interviews
• Public talks in mosques
• Roadshows to ministries
Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but
no human-to-human spread
Focus
Plan of Action
Update public
and health care
workers on
disease
situation
If Brunei affected
• Distribute posters and leaflets
• Articles to newspapers
• Issue press release
• Develop webpage within MOH website
• Dissemination of information and
advice through khutbah (Sharman)
• Travel advisory to and from affected
area (if needed)
• Handling of hotline (media & PR)
Reassure public
Phase 5: Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread
still localized
Focus
Heighten
Phase 4
Plan of Action
Heighten Phase 4
Phase 6: Pandemic phase – increased and sustained
transmission in general population
Focus
Heighten
Phase 5
Plan of Action
Heighten Phase 5