B E Y O N D | O C T . T O D E C . 2 0 1 8 | I S S U E 1 5P A P R S B I H S C O - H O S T S N A T I O N A L H I VS Y M P O S I U MThe National HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) Symposium for Healthcare Professionals was heldat the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) on the 2nd of December 2018, in conjunction withWorld AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Day 2018. The half-day event was organised bythe Ministry of Health, Brunei through the Health Promotion Centre in collaboration with UBD’sPAPRSB IHS and the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council’s (BDAIDS Council) “Penyinar” Club. Thesymposium aims to: (1) inform healthcare workers on HIV prevention, treatment and care in BruneiDarussalam, (2) reduce the stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV in Bruneiand (3) provide opportunities to network with other stakeholders in HIV and AIDS work in BruneiDarussalam. This is the first national symposium organized in Brunei. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Honourable Minister of Health Dr Haji Mohammad Ishambin Haji Jaafar, who also launched the official website of the BDAIDS Council. There were about 250attendees, including registered nurses, doctors and allied health professionals from the four districthospitals, Jerudong Park Medical Center and students from IHS. The symposium theme “Know YourStatus” was highlighted to promote public awareness on testing for the disease in conjunction withthe World AIDS Day. The keynote speech was delivered by Dr Ying-Ru Jacqueline Lo, Head of Mission and World HealthOrganisation (WHO) representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. She highlighted onthe best practices of HIV programmes in the region. Speakers from National University Hospital(NUH), Singapore, PAPRSB IHS and physicians from the Ministry of Health, Brunei also contributed tothe plenary sessions.  Speakers, committee members and BDAIDS executive council members in a group photo at the National HIV SymposiumFront row, seated (L-R): Hjh. Salmah binti Mohd Noor, Co-chairperson of the National HIV Symposium; Dr. Norhayati binti Hj MdKassim, Chairperson of the National HIV Symposium; Yang Berhormat (YB) Iswandy bin Ahmad, President of Brunei Darussalam AIDS(BDAIDS) Council; Dr. Sophia Ucheleta, Director of the National HIV programme, National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore;  Dr.Dariusz Olszyna, Program Director of the National University Health Systems (NUHS) Advanced Internal Medicine Senior Residency,National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore; Dr. Ying-Ru Jacqueline Lo, keynote speaker from World Health Organisation (WHO); andDr. Ahmad Fakhri, organizing committee of the National HIV SymposiumBack row, standing (L-R): Executive Council members from BDAIDS Council 3
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