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Derived Regulation

Harnessing tech to address a nation's challenges

by Lim Sheng Ming , Brunei Darussalam

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Influenza tweets

Jul 8, 2009 11:39

With over 100 cases and one death so far, Influenza A (H1N1) represents the first real threat faced by the citizens of Brunei. The head of the Disease Control Division (DCD) took the initiative and started updating the public via Twitter. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health (MOH) wasn't as supportive, leading the head of DCD to resign.

Head of Disease Control Division "quits" over H1N1 updates on Twitter. This is nothing short of absurd given that Twitter has been used to disseminate information regarding earthquakes in California and China. With Influenza A spreading as quickly as it is doing, the public deserves to be informed as soon as possible via whatever means they frequent: Twitter, RSS feeds, SMS, push email, whatever.

In the Ministry's defense, it is probably worried about rumor-mongering. I'm not sure what sort of twisted individual runs the rumor mills, but the authorities are often releasing warnings to the public about "such-and-such" SMS messages circulating that are completely false. But the reason these rumors exist and propagate is that the public cannot find the point of origin. By establishing official sources (Twitter, Web site, phone lines) and having information originate only from these sources, the regulators can counter this problem. And to really nip it they can have daily updates in the nightly bulletins to sift the real news from the fakies.

The Ministry of Health has started using SMS updates, though only through b.mobile, one of the two mobile service providers in the country. The other, DST, at least for now, appears to be left out in the cold.

BBC reported that Australia is using Facebook and Twitter to warn people about bush fires. Even Brunei's Ministry of Development has jumped to using Twitter. Wherefore art thou, MOH?

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About Lim Sheng Ming

Tired of relatives misspelling his name, Lim Sheng Ming christened himself "LSM". Born in Brunei, he is currently based in intoxicating Japan where he is supposed to be doing research. A published writer, an accomplished Latin dancer, a Tai Chi practitioner and a committed Lifehacker, he still finds time to follow standards-based Web development and promote Internet accessibility. He is also one of the few who have switched from a Mac (but don't judge him for that).