habybpalyoga.com – From September 22 to 24, 2026, Brunei Darussalam hosted the Regional Public Health Laboratory (RPHL) Network Annual Partnership Forum. While this was a mojor event on the regional calendar, waling into the venue on the first morning meant something truly personal to me.

I was selected to represent the Veterinary Laboratory Services of Brunei Darussalam, a privilege for which I am sincerely grateful.

A Rare Opportunity

Working in a government institution as an expatriate comes with clear realities. High-level regional forum are usually, and understandably, reserved for local officers. Prioritizing citizens for national representation is an important part of long-term capacity building, and I have always respected that principle.

Because of this, I never expected to be given an opportunity like this. When the forum was held locally in Brunei this year, door opened. Even then, attending required trust from management. When my supervisor approved my participation, it felt like a quiet recognition of the dedication and hard work our team puts in every day in the laboratory.

Bridging Veterinary and Public Health

The three-day forum centered on regional health security, laboratory standards, and cross-border cooperation. It was also a strong reminder of how essential the One Health approach really is:

• Public health can not stand alone. Animal disease surveillance plays a frontline role in preventing outbreaks.
• We shared technical perspectives from veterinary diagnostic that support broader public health goals.
• We brought back valuable insights from regional peers to strengthen our daily diagnostic work.

Inside the forum, nationalities and titles faded into the background. The conversation focused on science, collaboration, and how laboratory networks can protect communities together.

Looking Forward: You are Never Alone

Beyond the scientific discussion, this participation truly opened my eyes to how we should approach the road ahead.

Throughout the forum, I had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful, inspiring people. It served as a powerful reminder that we always have a network to rely on. In laboratory science and public health, the challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we are never truly working alone. Whenever you feel stuck or face a hurdle, your network is there to guide and support you.

Moment like this remind me why the quite hours in lab matter. I am deeply thankful to my leadership and colleagues for their trust, and to all the dedicated peer I connected with. I return to my bench with fresh perspective and renewed focus, grateful for the chance to contribute to Brunei Darussalam’s role in regional health.