The Chairperson for the Pediatric Symposium 2023 addressed the challenges faced by pediatric care services due to the growing demand and heightened expectations. Dr. Hajah Mawarni binti Abdul Hamid, the symposium chairperson, stated that the evolving landscape of parenting has resulted in families having less time for their children.
Dr. Hajah Mawarni also highlighted the increasing prevalence of autism, affecting approximately one in 48 children. Additionally, the survival of pre-term and critically-ill children is no longer considered an exception but an expectation. Consequently, the Child Development Centre now receives nearly 800 referrals annually. However, the number of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals has not increased proportionally to meet the surging demand. Expectations from parents and caregivers have also risen significantly.
As a consequence, waiting lists for pediatric services have become longer. While the waiting times in Brunei are not as extensive as in some other countries, where seeing a developmental pediatrician can take up to two years, the waiting period to consult with a doctor in Brunei varies from a few days to seven months. Nevertheless, the time required to obtain a multidisciplinary team assessment for an autism diagnosis can be considerably longer, causing considerable anguish for parents and healthcare professionals.
Dr. Hajah Mawarni emphasized the importance of making the waiting period productive. About 75% of referrals pertain to children with speech and language delays. These delays can result from various factors, including simple developmental language delays or more complex issues associated with intellectual impairment or neurodevelopmental challenges. Early intervention is vital in all cases, and children should not have to wait for a formal diagnosis before receiving support.
The primary goal of the symposium was to raise awareness among all individuals who interact with children, enabling the early detection of developmental issues and the initiation of timely intervention. Information on child development and Child Development Centre services was made available through posters and downloads, with the aim of equipping parents to better engage and assist their children at home.
Dr. Hajah Mawarni acknowledged the stress that parents may experience when dealing with a child’s developmental delay or disability, highlighting the importance of providing support and empowerment to parents in such situations.
The symposium, hosted by the Ministry of Health, addressed various crucial topics in children’s healthcare, including early brain development and children’s mental health. The event saw the participation of approximately 250 professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health practitioners, with the guest of honor being Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.