Cardiovascular diseases continue to be one of the leading causes of death in Brunei Darussalam. In 2024, cardiovascular diseases claimed the lives of 572 people in Brunei, with more than half of these deaths occurring prematurely. This was shared by the Minister of Health at the 12th Annual Scientific Meeting of Brunei Cardiac Society. In a speech text read by Doctor Hajah Rafidah binti Gharif, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health stated that according to the national hospitalisation data 2020-2024, the number of heart-related admissions has increased. Cardiovascular disease remains a formidable challenge, but it is one that the nation can overcome through collaboration, innovation, and prevention.

In addressing the matter, the Ministry of Health continues to invest in training programmes for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals including the Cardiovascular Technologists (CVTs). Efforts are ongoing to formalise CVT training and accreditation to ensure high professional standards, and ensure sustainability as well as self-reliance in the national cardiac workforce. The event then continued with the conferment of the Fellow of Cardiac 2025 and a plenary lecture titled 'The Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases in Southeast Asia - Preventing Insights from Singapore'. The event was held at Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre, PJSC.