AGP Executive Report

Regional Haze: Indonesian wildfires have driven more than 333,000 people to seek treatment for respiratory infections, while smoke has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei. Fires burning deep in peatland are hard to extinguish, raising concern as dry conditions persist. Prevention: A WHO symposium at Malaysia’s lifestyle medicine conference highlighted healthy eating, exercise, sleep and stress management to help prevent chronic illness. The WHO representative for Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore joined the event, which also discussed a pilot helping some patients achieve remission from Type 2 diabetes. Tobacco Control: Vietnam is considering expanding graphic health warnings to cover 85% of cigarette packs, a move its Health Ministry estimates could reduce smoking by more than 815,000 people over six years.

Regional Haze: Wildfires and peat fires in Indonesia have driven more than 333,000 people to seek treatment for respiratory infections, while smoke has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei. Experts warn that hazardous fine-particle pollution can raise the risk of respiratory illness, heart attacks and strokes. Healthy Ageing: A WHO-backed lifestyle medicine conference in Malaysia highlighted healthy eating, exercise, sleep and stress management to help prevent chronic diseases. A pilot project in Seremban 2 showed lifestyle changes can help some patients achieve remission from Type 2 diabetes.

Regional Haze: Indonesian fires are driving PM2.5 pollution above 500 micrograms per cubic metre in affected areas—more than 33 times the WHO’s 24-hour guideline of 15. Smoke has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, raising risks of respiratory illness, heart attack and stroke. Joint Pain: A new regional study examines osteoarthritis among Asian women, including disability linked to high BMI and projected trends through 2050.

Osteoarthritis: A new regional analysis examines the growing burden among Asian women, including disability linked to BMI and projections through 2050. Haze and Health: Indonesian forest fires have sent smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, renewing concerns about respiratory health. Regional reports describe prolonged hazardous pollution, while calls grow for stronger ASEAN action to prevent fires and protect communities. Healthy Ageing: WHO expertise featured at a Malaysian lifestyle medicine conference, where experts highlighted healthy eating, exercise, sleep and stress management to prevent chronic disease and support ageing well.

Borneo Fires: A rescued baby orangutan, Irene, is drawing attention to months of fires in Indonesian Borneo, which have destroyed habitat and left wildlife short of food and shelter. Haze & Health: Smoke from the fires has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei. Indonesia reported more than 283,000 acute respiratory infection cases in affected areas between Aug. 18 and Oct. 13, while schools closed in parts of the region and air travel was disrupted. Regional Relief: The EU has allocated about US$224,500 to help drought-hit Indonesian communities, including clean-water distribution, protective masks and oxygen concentrators for selected health centres affected by smoke. Healthy Ageing: WHO’s representative for Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore joined a lifestyle medicine conference in Malaysia, highlighting prevention, healthy habits and approaches to chronic disease. A WHO pilot in Seremban 2 showed lifestyle interventions can help some patients achieve remission from Type 2 diabetes.

Regional Haze: Indonesian forest and peat fires have sent smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, renewing concerns about respiratory health. ASEAN’s highest haze alert was activated as pollution reached very hazardous levels in parts of the region; a renewed call for stronger regional action notes the bloc’s haze agreement has yet to deliver effective enforcement. Healthy Ageing: WHO’s Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore representative is taking part in a lifestyle medicine conference in Kuala Lumpur, highlighting prevention through healthy eating, exercise, sleep and stress management to help address chronic disease and support healthy ageing.

Haze and Health: Indonesian fires have sent smoke across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, renewing concerns about respiratory health. The region has seen hazardous air, school closures and rising respiratory illness; ASEAN faces calls to strengthen its response and hold those responsible for fires accountable. Healthy Ageing: WHO expertise is featured at Malaysia’s Lifestyle Medicine Conference, running Oct. 24–26, with WHO’s representative to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore taking part. The conference focuses on prevention, healthy ageing and tackling chronic disease through healthier eating, exercise, sleep and stress management.

Transboundary Haze: Smoke from Indonesian fires has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, as ASEAN’s meteorological centre issued its highest alert. The crisis has brought hazardous air, school closures and health warnings in parts of the region. An assessment says ASEAN’s 2002 haze agreement still lacks a fully operating coordinating centre and stronger enforcement, despite decades of recurring fires. Regional Health Support: The EU has provided €200,000 in emergency aid for drought-hit communities in Indonesia, including clean water, protective masks and oxygen concentrators for health centres affected by smoke. Healthy Ageing: A WHO representative covering Brunei will speak at Malaysia’s Lifestyle Medicine Conference, where experts will discuss prevention, chronic disease and healthy ageing.**

Regional Haze: Smoke from Indonesian fires has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, raising respiratory health concerns as some neighbouring areas report hazardous air and school closures. ASEAN’s 2002 haze pact still lacks a fully operational coordinating centre, renewing calls for stronger action and accountability. Healthy Ageing: A WHO symposium at Malaysia’s Lifestyle Medicine Conference, running Oct. 24–26, will focus on preventing chronic disease and supporting healthy ageing. WHO’s representative to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore is among the speakers. Health Cooperation: Brunei and India have identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare as priorities, discussing regulatory collaboration, procurement and healthcare services.

Regional Haze: Smoke from Indonesia’s fires has spread across Southeast Asia, including Brunei, as the region faces its worst haze crisis in more than a decade. Indonesia reported more than 283,000 acute respiratory infection cases in affected areas from Aug 18 to Oct 13. Healthy Ageing: WHO will highlight lifestyle-based prevention at Malaysia’s Lifestyle Medicine Conference, running Oct 24–26. Its representative for Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore is among the speakers, with sessions covering healthy eating, exercise, sleep and chronic disease prevention. Brunei–India Health Links: Officials from both countries identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare as areas for closer cooperation, including regulatory collaboration, procurement and healthcare services.

Regional Haze: Forest fires in Indonesia are sending toxic smoke across South-east Asia, including Brunei, with respiratory illness reported in affected areas. The prolonged crisis has also disrupted flights and forced school closures elsewhere in the region. Healthy Ageing: WHO expertise will feature at Malaysia’s Lifestyle Medicine Conference on Oct 24–26, with the WHO representative for Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore delivering a keynote on prevention and chronic disease. Brunei-India Health Ties: At their latest trade committee meeting, Brunei and India identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare as priorities for closer cooperation, including regulatory collaboration, procurement and health services.

Haze Health Risks: Wildfire smoke from Indonesia has spread across the region, including Brunei, as South-east Asia faces its worst haze episode in more than a decade. Indonesia reported more than 283,000 acute respiratory infections in affected areas between Aug 18 and Oct 13. Healthy Ageing: WHO’s representative to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore is set to speak at a lifestyle medicine conference in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 24 to 26, focused on preventing chronic disease and supporting healthy ageing. Brunei Healthcare Ties: Brunei and India have identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare as areas for closer cooperation, including regulatory collaboration, procurement and healthcare services.

Regional Haze: Smoke from Indonesia’s fires is drifting across Brunei and other neighbours, as the region faces its worst haze in more than a decade. Respiratory illness is rising in affected areas, and schools have closed in parts of Malaysia. Healthy Ageing: WHO will highlight preventive care and lifestyle approaches to chronic disease and healthy ageing at a Malaysian conference from Oct. 24–26, with its representative to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore delivering the keynote. Product Safety: Brunei issued 29 fines totalling B$18,000 for health-product offences from January to September, including unlicensed sales and products containing undeclared or prohibited ingredients. Health Cooperation: Brunei and India identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare as areas for closer cooperation, including regulatory work, procurement and healthcare services.

Healthy Ageing: WHO’s representative to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore will speak at a lifestyle medicine conference in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 24–26, focusing on prevention, chronic disease and healthy ageing. Health Product Safety: Brunei’s Health Ministry reported 29 fines totalling BND18,000 for health-product offences from January to September, including unlicensed sales and products with undeclared or prohibited ingredients. Regional Haze: Wildfire smoke has spread across Brunei and neighbouring countries, fuelling respiratory illness and unhealthy air; Singapore is distributing masks to vulnerable residents and considering action against companies linked to fires. Brunei–India Cooperation: At their latest trade meeting, Brunei and India identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare services as areas for closer cooperation.

Healthy Ageing: WHO’s representative to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore will speak at a Kuala Lumpur conference on lifestyle medicine, prevention and healthy ageing, including approaches to chronic disease such as Type 2 diabetes. Regional Health Risks: EU aid for drought-hit Indonesia will fund clean water, hygiene support, masks and oxygen concentrators as heat, water shortages and wildfire smoke raise risks of dehydration and respiratory illness. The haze has also spread to Brunei and other neighbours. Brunei Health Regulation: The Ministry of Health issued 29 fines totalling BND18,000 for health-product offences from January to September, including unregistered medicines and products containing undeclared or prohibited substances. Brunei-India Cooperation: At their latest trade committee meeting, Brunei and India identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare services as areas for closer cooperation, including regulatory collaboration and procurement.

Preventive Health: WHO’s representative to Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore will join the Malaysian Lifestyle Medicine Conference on Oct. 24–26, which will focus on preventing chronic disease and promoting healthy ageing. A WHO–health ministry pilot in Seremban 2 found lifestyle changes could help patients achieve Type 2 diabetes remission. Drought and Haze: The EU has allocated about US$224,500 to help drought-hit Indonesian communities access clean water and hygiene support, while providing masks and oxygen concentrators to selected clinics affected by wildfire smoke. The crisis has raised risks of dehydration, heatstroke and respiratory illness across the region. Health Product Safety: Brunei’s Health Ministry reported 29 fines totalling B$18,000 for health-product offences from January to September. Cases included unlicensed or unregistered medicines, products with undeclared drug ingredients and cosmetics that breached requirements. Regional Health Links: India and Brunei identified pharmaceuticals and healthcare services as areas for closer cooperation, including regulatory collaboration and procurement, at their latest trade committee meeting.