Brunei’s Massive Fitness Revolution: Thousands Rally for 5-Month Health Championship

Over 2,000 Bruneians of all ages gathered at Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas for BIBD Connects on September 28, 2025, to kick off the BN on the Move Championship 2025, a five-month nationwide campaign by the Ministry of Health aimed at curbing sedentary lifestyles and promoting preventive healthcare. Running through February 2026, the initiative leverages the BruHealth app, used by 400,000 citizens, to drive participation through daily step goals, weekly challenges, and monthly lucky draws. Led by Guest of Honor Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Md Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health, the launch event underscored Brunei’s commitment to its Vision 2035 goal of fostering a healthy, active populace through innovative public health strategies.

The championship builds on the success of prior campaigns, notably the 2023 BN on the Move programme, which engaged 92,342 users, and the 2022 1 Billion Steps Together initiative, which saw 12,000 registrations in just three days. This year’s edition introduces gamified elements, with 49 corporate sponsors, led by Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), offering prizes like fitness gear, vouchers, and wellness experiences from partners such as AIA Singapore Pte Ltd and Vitaliv Health and Wellness Clinic. Participants earn lucky draw entries by meeting step targets and completing health challenges on the BruHealth app, with team-based achievements unlocking additional entries, fostering community spirit and sustained engagement across Brunei’s four districts.

The launch event transformed the capital into a hub of activity, featuring three dynamic zones: a 2.5-kilometer walkathon through scenic routes, aerobics sessions led by certified instructors, and high-energy exercise classes tailored for diverse fitness levels. Free health screenings, including cardiovascular assessments aligned with the National Health Screening Programme (NHSP), provided participants with personalized health insights, emphasizing early detection of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, which affects 14% of Brunei’s population. The debut of the campaign’s mascot, Oyen the tiger, alongside friends Abu, Petir, and Rimba, added a playful touch, engaging families and children in the push for active lifestyles.

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EVYD Technology Sdn Bhd, the developer of BruHealth, plays a pivotal role in integrating the championship’s digital framework. General Manager Abby Tan stated, “This championship transforms our past successes into a nationwide movement, embodying our vision of ‘innovation for better lives.’” The app, initially launched for COVID-19 management, now supports features like health dashboards, appointment booking, and gamified rewards such as “Gems” for virtual perks, driving user engagement. With over 7,000 registrations by September 27, the campaign aligns with Brunei’s Vision 2035, which prioritizes equitable healthcare and a vibrant economy, positioning BruHealth as a regional model for tech-driven wellness initiatives.

As the championship unfolds, it promises to reshape Brunei’s health landscape by encouraging daily physical activity and fostering community cohesion. Citizens can join by downloading the free BruHealth app from Google Play or the App Store and registering for the championship. With monthly draws offering exciting incentives and upcoming challenges against corporate teams, the initiative is set to sustain momentum, reinforcing Brunei’s commitment to preventive healthcare and setting a blueprint for inclusive, technology-driven wellness programs worldwide.

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