Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health Volume 1, 2006
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Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health Volume 1, 2006 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM JOURNAL OF HEALTH The Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health (BJH) is published annually by the Institute of Medicine, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. It is also available on the website of the university library accessed through www.ubd.edu.bn. The BJH publishes peer-reviewed articles pertaining to health in the form of original research findings, review articles, novel case reports of general interest, and original commentaries. Review articles are normally submitted after consulting the editorial board of the BJH. Manuscripts submitted for publication should meet the following criteria: the material should be original; for research articles, the methods used should be appropriate; results should be unambiguous and supported with data, appropriate use of statistics, and illustrations; conclusions should be reasonable and based on the findings; the topic should be of general health interest. Research involving human subjects or animals should have been approved by the relevant ethical committees. Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the Guidelines set by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) as uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals. Details are available on the website www.icmje.org. A current issue of the journal may also be consulted for formatting articles. Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word™ format on a CD-ROM or via email ([email protected]). All correspondence regarding submission of manuscripts should be addressed to: Chair, Editorial Board, Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health, Institute of Medicine, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam. Telephone +673- 2453001 ext 1965, email: [email protected]. The Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health can be purchased as individual copies or regularly subscribed from the library of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health Volume 1, 2006 BOARD OF EDITORS R. Ramasamy, PhD, Chair Elizabeth S. F. Chong, MBBS, DCH, MRCP, Muhammad Syaffiq Abdullah, MBChB, MRCPCH MRCP, MSc T. P. Doubell, PhD Nik Ani Afiqah Hj Mohd Tuah, Dip Nurs, BScN, MPH C. H. V. Hoyle, PhD, DSc Omar Hasan Kassule, MBChB, MPH, DrPH K. Y. Y. Kok, MBChB, FRCSEng, FRCSEd, FAMS, FACS Rafidah Gharif, BSc, MBBS, PG Dip PHC, MRCGPInt Mas Rina Wati Hj Abdul Hamid, PhD Zulkarnain Hanafi, FRCSEd Mohammad Mosshadeque Hossain, MBBS, PhD, DTM&H Mohammed Arif Abdullah, MB, FRCPGlasgow, FRCPLondon Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health Volume 1, 2006 WELCOME MESSAGE FROM VICE-CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM I am very pleased and honoured to write these opening remarks for the inaugural issue of the Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health (BJH), published by the Institute of Medicine, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. I understand that the Journal aims to promote excellence in service, research, and education in all disciplines concerned with and related to health through publishing and disseminating results of original research; literature reviews; and commentaries, opinions, and discussions on relevant topics. The Journal also aims to fully adhere to the standards of journalistic integrity and excellence. The ultimate goal of the Journal is to contribute to the promotion of the health and well being of the people of Brunei Darussalam and beyond. I would like to congratulate and thank the authors of the articles, members of the Editorial Board, The Institute of Medicine and all others who have made the preparation and publication of this inaugural issue possible. I wish the Journal every success. DATO PADUKA DR. AWANG HAJI ISMAIL BIN HAJI DURAMAN Vice-Chancellor 4 R. Ramasamy / Brunei Darussalam Journal of Health Volume 1, 2006 Promoting health sciences research in Brunei Darussalam R. Ramasamy Institute of Medicine, Universiti Brunei Darussalam 1. The changing role of medical schools rapidly growing economies like Korea and Mexico [1]. In the USA, which may be regarded as being in the forefront The functions of a modern medical school include of developing new knowledge pertaining to health, medical not only providing the traditional undergraduate and research is estimated to constitute approximately 5-10% of postgraduate training in medicine, and conducting research the total expenditure on health. (involving basic, strategic and applied research or medical technologies), but also supporting the national health services, the wider community, the business sector and government with appropriate expert knowledge. The latter wider functions are particularly important if government or public funding is used in supporting the medical school. In organizing its Annual Academic Sessions, the Institute of Medicine of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam aims to Percentage fulfill this expected wider societal role. 2. Trends in expenditure on health and medical research Year The health sector consumes a major part of the budget Figure1. Graph illustrating the trend in the average national health in most countries, being approximately 9% of the Gross expenditure as a percentage of the gross domestic product in countries of Domestic Product (GDP) in most Organisation for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries for the period 1999 to 2004 [Data from Ref 1] [Figure 1, Ref 1]. In 2003, the USA spent 15.3% of GDP on health which is slightly more than four times that spent 3. Promoting research in the health sector on defence. These figures give an indication of the priority ascribed to health in many human societies. In Brunei, Much of the increase in life expectancy in 1950-2000 approximately 6-8% of the national budget is presently is generally accepted as being due to advances in medical devoted to Health, according to available government knowledge and medical technology, and not merely the statistics. Data available for the years 1999 to 2004 for the better delivery and better use of existing knowledge and OECD countries are presented in Figure 1. Importantly, technology. It is therefore useful to analyze in detail some the OECD data show that the proportion of GDP spent on of the benefits of promoting health research. health is increasing in most countries, including those with 1. Research provides appropriate training for improving skills of health-sector personnel in evidence-based Correspondence medicine Institute of Medicine, University Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE1410, Brunei Darussalam 2. Solutions for local health problems are often found Tel: +673- 2463001 ext 1951 Email: [email protected] through what is termed applied research Promoting Health Sciences Research 5 3. Improving the delivery of health care involves what is annual United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) termed health systems research human development reports show the relationship between numbers of researchers and OECD countries, countries 4. Research that seeks to advance human knowledge for its with a high human development index (regional examples own sake, termed basic, fundamental or blue sky research, are Brunei and Malaysia) and countries with a medium not only satisfies the innate curiosity of the brightest minds, level of human development of which China, India, Russia but has been shown to yield unexpected applications in and Thailand are examples [Figure 2, Ref 3]. OECD data also improving medical treatment and diagnosis. The discovery suggest that higher education and overall technological of monoclonal antibodies is a well-known example. Here, sophistication have a major impact on the capacity to Kohler and Milstein stumbled upon the method of making innovate (measured in terms of patents obtained) in monoclonal antibodies while investigating the basic different countries [1]. molecular mechanisms involved in generating diversity in antibodies [2] 5. Most medical research however falls into the category of strategic or applied research, i.e. research that is ultimately designed to improve medical technology and knowledge, which in turn translates into better health care 6. Concomitant research activity often translates into better teaching by the faculty in medical schools. It helps to maintain interest in new developments and serves to attract and retain good faculty Active Researchers per million population 7. Ultimate outcome in promoting research into health is of course the creation of a healthier society Group of Countries 4. Key components to building capacity in health Figure 2. Graph illustrating the trend in the average numbers of sciences research researchers in the countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), countries with a high human development The essential components of building the capacity to index (HDI) and medium human development index as defined by the perform health related research are: United Nations Development Program 1. Personnel 2. Institutions 3. Infrastructure 4.2 Institutions and Infrastructure 4. Regulatory framework 5. Investment Where research and development is carried out, and its composition, has an additional impact on innovative 4.1 Personnel capacity in different countries. In many OECD countries R&D spending by business is more productive than that by There is a clear correlation between the state of government. However government tends to support basic economic and social development of different countries research unlike business. Innovation productivity