Brunei Darussalam recorded 200 cases of strokes in 2005.  Out of these, 70 percent were ischaemic stroke and 30 percent were due to hemorrhage.  One hundred and 45 of them had their first attack of strokes whereas the rest were recurrent attacks.  These patients require specialized medical care and life long rehabilitation.  This has escalated stroke related medical costs and disability.  The Ministry of Health in this regard, has taken various steps to provide such specialized care within the country.  Every efforts has been undertaken to reduce the burden of stroke.

The Minister of Health, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Suyoi highlights the issue at the launching of the First National Stroke Symposium in the country.  The Minister said that although many patients know the symptoms of a heart attack, few are aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke.  Those most at risk for stroke, namely the elderly, are least likely to know the risk factors and warning signs of stroke.

In addition, while a heart attack frequently causes discomfort that invites the patient to seek rapid medical attention, a stroke does not.  These factors impede the early arrival of patients to the Accident and Emergency Department, preventing them from receiving early treatment.  Patient’s education regarding stroke symptoms and the need to seek urgent help for these symptoms is imperative.

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability, and its incidence increases linearly with age and the level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.  In addition, the prevalence of hypertension increases with advancing age to the point where more than 50 percent of subjects aged 69 to 70 years old and up to 70 percent of subjects older than 70 years old are affected by hypertension.

The Ministry of Health says the spread of Hand-Foot and Mouth Disease in Brunei has shown a decrease.  From the 1st until last Friday March 17^th, 307 cases were reported.

Meanwhile in another attempt, thirteen officers from the section stopped two Chinese after a tip off from the public.  One of them is a Malaysian and the other a Brunei permanent resident, both around 30 years of age.  Upon investigation of their vehicle, the law enforcement agency found 58 packets of cigarettes and thirty-nine bottles of various kinds of alcohol drinks hidden inside a concealed speaker box, inside the spare tyre compartment as well as inside the glove compartment.  Both of the smugglers are being detained for further investigation and all the goods were confiscated.

The event started with a warming up session at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien.  Leading the walkathon was the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Awang Adanan.  The male participants covered a distance of about four kilometers while the female participants walked about three kilometres.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs, in the Open Category defeated the Ministry of Defence, 5-4, through penalty kick.  In the Veteran Category, the Ministry of Education also defeated the Ministry of Defence one-nil.  The winning goal was scored in the second half of the match.

The championship was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through the Youth and Sports Department as one of its efforts to make the sports activities not only  for excellence but also for fitness, physical health and mental as well as unity.  The champion was held at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sport Complex in Berakas.

About seventy potential professional golfers took part in the first ever Brunei Junior Golf Tournament.  The day-long championship was participated by young golfers below 25 years old from Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak and most of them have been actively involved in the game between two months to three years.