Brunei's Healthcare System: Doctor Numbers And Availability

Brunei is a small state in Southeast Asia, located on the island of Borneo, with a population of around 430,000 people as of 2021. The country has a well-developed healthcare system, consisting of public hospitals, private clinics, and maternal facilities. As of 2005, the largest hospital in Brunei, the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, had 1260 beds and 257 doctors. However, there is a lack of medical schools in the country, with citizens aspiring to become doctors needing to study abroad. This has led to a situation where most doctors in Brunei are educated overseas.

Brunei's healthcare system

The largest hospital in Brunei is the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS), which had 1260 beds and 257 doctors as of 2005. The hospital offers services in surgery, pathology, psychiatry, dermatology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, and pediatrics, among others. The second-largest hospital is the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, which has 183 beds and provides specialised services in general surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and more. The Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) is a private 24-hour specialised clinic that offers 29 clinical specialties and sub-specialties.

Healthcare in Brunei is charged at B$1 per consultation for citizens and is free for anyone under 12 years old. Citizens requiring treatments unavailable in the country are sent overseas for treatment, which is coordinated and paid for by the government. The government also covers the cost of sending citizens overseas to access treatments and facilities not available in the country.

Brunei has a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, with a recorded 0.1% prevalence in the population, and various AIDS awareness campaigns are currently being held. The country has also seen an increase in cases referred to the Child Development Centre (CDC) over the past ten years. In terms of COVID-19, as of 27 November 2022, 78.8% of the populace had completed the third dose of the national vaccination program.

Working conditions for doctors

Brunei's healthcare system is managed by the Brunei Ministry of Health and funded by the General Treasury. The country's medical system includes more than two dozen public hospitals and private clinics, with the most modern and excellent medical equipment. The two major hospitals in Brunei are Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS) and Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC). RIPAS is the largest medical facility in Brunei, with 1260 beds and 257 doctors as of 2005. JPMC is a private 24-hour specialised clinic with 29 clinical specialties and sub-specialties.

Brunei's healthcare system offers free health care services for its citizens, with a small fee of B$1 per consultation for citizens over 12 years old. The government also covers the cost of sending citizens overseas to access treatments and facilities not available in the country. This indicates that the government is committed to ensuring its citizens have access to the best possible healthcare, even if it means going abroad.

For doctors, this could mean that while there is a good standard of medical care within the country, there may be opportunities to specialise in areas that are less well-served by the current system. There is also the possibility of being involved in providing care to citizens who are sent overseas for treatment.

In terms of salary, doctors in Brunei can expect to earn a minimum of $2850 monthly, which can go up to $3500. Additionally, accommodation is often provided for expats, and there is a housing allowance for those who are not. Overall, doctors in Brunei seem to be satisfied with their working conditions, with one doctor commenting that their financial situation improved after working in the country. The main challenge mentioned is the lack of entertainment options compared to other countries.

Two private hospitals

Brunei has more than two dozen public hospitals and private clinics, and two of the largest hospitals in the country are private.

The first is the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS), which is the largest medical facility in Brunei. It has over 523 beds, six main blocks, and offers a wide range of services, from surgery and pathology to psychiatry and paediatrics.

The second-largest hospital in Brunei is the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, with 183 beds. This hospital provides specialised services in areas such as general surgery, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and paediatrics.

Another notable private hospital in Brunei is the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), a 24-hour specialised clinic located in the Jerudong Park area. JPMC offers a wide range of progressive services, including cardiology, neurology, stroke treatment, and rehabilitation. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), ensuring patient safety and service quality.

The Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) is a private health centre located within the JPMC compound. Established in 2014, it is currently the only specialist cancer hospital operating on the island of Borneo. PJSC offers day care treatment facilities and specialises in treating cancer patients.

Gleneagles JPMC, also located within the same compound, is a tertiary medical centre specialising in cardiac diseases. It provides screening, diagnostics, interventional cardiology, and heart surgery, employing experienced cardiologists, surgeons, and specialised staff.

These private hospitals in Brunei offer advanced medical services, utilising modern equipment and innovative treatments. They cater to a range of specialities and play a crucial role in providing healthcare to the local population and even attracting those seeking therapeutic getaways.

Four government hospitals

Brunei has four government hospitals, one in each district. The largest is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS), which had 1260 beds and 257 doctors as of 2005. It is situated in the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. RIPAS is the largest medical facility in Brunei, with six main blocks in its structure: chambers, a block of specialised clinics, a polyclinic and state laboratory, a sports complex, and a transport complex with a pier and a helipad. The hospital has more than 20 areas, including surgery, pathology, psychiatry, dermatology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, and pediatrics.

The second-largest hospital is the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, with 183 beds. This hospital provides specialised services in general surgery, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, physiotherapy, maxillofacial surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and pediatrics with a separate children's unit. The new outpatient and emergency department has facilities, including a small operating room for acute trauma treatment and other emergencies requiring immediate resuscitation.

In addition to the two largest hospitals, there are two provincial hospitals and three district hospitals. The government also covers the cost of sending citizens overseas to access treatments and facilities not available in the country.

Bruneians seeking medical services abroad

Brunei has a small but growing medical industry. The country's healthcare system is managed by the Brunei Ministry of Health and funded by the General Treasury. It consists of around 15 health centres, 10 clinics, and 22 maternal facilities, as well as two private hospitals. The largest hospital in Brunei is the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS), which has over 523 beds and offers services in surgery, pathology, psychiatry, dermatology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, obstetrics, and gynaecology, among others.

Bruneians with the financial means to seek advanced medical services often travel to countries like Singapore and Thailand for private consultations. When specific medical services are unavailable in Brunei, the government coordinates and pays for citizens to be sent overseas for treatment. In the 2011-2012 period, for instance, 327 patients were treated in Malaysia and Singapore at a cost of $12 million.

The Bruneian government covers the cost of sending citizens abroad to access treatments and facilities not available in the country. This is because, despite having a stable universal healthcare system, Brunei's medical sector is limited by the absence of a separate medical school within its borders. As a result, many Bruneians who cannot access medical services locally are sent overseas for treatment.

The country's proximity to Singapore and Thailand, which are popular destinations for advanced medical services, likely influences the decision to seek medical care abroad. Additionally, the limited capacity of the Bruneian healthcare system, including the small number of hospital beds per capita, may contribute to the need to seek treatment elsewhere.

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