As part of its initiative to educate its employees about leading healthier and happier lives, Baiduri Bank in collaboration with the Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC), hosted a cancer awareness workshop at the Baiduri Community Space at Baiduri Bank Headquarters today.
Over 90 Baiduri Bank employees attended the workshop that included talks that covering topics such as understanding the various types of cancers and their symptoms, as well as details about how to conduct early detection screenings.
On behalf of PJSC, Dato Seri Laila Jasa Dr Babu Sukumaran, the Director of The Brunei Cancer Centre and Datin Dr Hjh Noraslinah binti Haji Ramlee, the Head of Early Detection & Cancer Prevention Services conducted the workshop. Meanwhile, Ms Veronica Chong, Head of Group Human Resources and Administration, Mr Sim Kiem Lee, Head of Group Operations Division, as well as Ak Nor Muhammad Nizam bin Pg Haji Tengah, Head of Group Treasury and Institutional Banking were also in attendance on behalf of the Bank.
According to national statistics, every year about 800 cancer cases are diagnosed in the nation, with the most common ones among men being colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, while for women, breast cancer remains the most common cancer.
The speakers explained that one third of cancers are preventable, while another one third can be cured with early detection – noting that stage 1 cancers have greater than a 95 per cent chance of being cured. While adopting a healthier lifestyle is a key component in the control of cancer, early detection and diagnosis can also improve the survival and longevity of patients.
This cancer awareness workshop is the second health workshop this year held under the Bank’s Employee Wellness Initiative (EWI), with the previous one held in March, titled ‘Heart Health and Diabetes’ conducted by Dr On Sui Chee from Lee Clinic & Dispensary. As the Bank recognises the importance of wellness on employee productivity, this workshop was considered as part of their personal development.
The workshop was also in support of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to achieve a cancer-free future for the nation as well as the ministry’s measures to control cancer risk factors.
The EWI is a Baiduri Bank Group Initiative aimed at providing the support, guidance, and avenues for all Baiduri Bank Group employees to learn and get information on achieving a more balanced work-life. The goal of the EWI’s activities is also to enhance employee engagement within the Bank as well as promoting a healthier working culture.
Ms Veronica Chong said: “Our people are our most important asset and looking after their wellbeing is a key priority for us.”
She added: “As cancer is amongst the top leading causes of death in Brunei Darussalam, we want to help ensure our employees are aware of the disease and its symptoms, so they will be better informed and are encouraged to go for early screenings when necessary. We want them to know that there is a strong support network available in the country.”
PJSC is a healthcare specialist center consisting of three centers of excellence that are equipped with state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitative care facilities, mainly the Brunei Cancer Centre (TBCC), the Brunei Neuroscience, Stroke & Rehabilitation Centre (BNSRC), and the Maxillofacial, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (MFPRSC).
