Healthcare in Brunei
Reported, December 21, 2011
The standards of healthcare in Brunei are generally better than in many countries in the region, though basic hospital supplies can run low from time to time. Should complications arise, medical evacuation to Singapore is necessary so you should ensure that your insurance covers this.
Brunei ensures that all citizens have access to free healthcare, provided via a group of public hospitals. Healthcare expenditure per capita was approximately US$334 in 2004, comprising 5.8% of the national budget, and 2.7% of the GDP.
There are 13 health centres, 10 health clinics, 15 maternal and child health clinics, 13 travelling health clinics and five flying medical services for remote areas in Brunei. For dental health, there are 12 health centres, four health clinics, 72 schools that provide dental care clinics, 16 travelling dental health clinics and four flying dental services.
Medical care facilities include the four public and two private hospitals in Brunei. Of the two private hospitals, the Jerudong Park Medical Centre/Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Centre is open to the public. The other private hospital is for employees of Brunei Shell Petroleum.
The largest public hospital in Brunei is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, also known as RIPAS Hospital. Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait, is the second largest hospital and the oldest one in Brunei. Opened in 1972, it has been completely renovated and modernised in 2000 with a laboratory, blood bank and many specialised services.
As of 2008, no hospitals in Brunei were undergoing international healthcare accreditation.
There is currently no medical school in Brunei, and Bruneians wishing to study to become doctors have to attend universities overseas. This situation may be changing. Also, to ensure the public’s access to medical care, qualified doctors from overseas are imported into the country.
Credits: http://www.brunei.alloexpat.com/brunei_information/
healthcare_brunei.php
