Brunei (Commonwealth Union)_ Brunei, a small yet wealthy nation located on the northern coast of Borneo Island, is becoming a hub for medical tourism in Southeast Asia. According to Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr. Mohd Isham Jaafar, medical tourism has the potential to contribute to Brunei Darussalam’s economy as an industry. He made this statement at the LegCo session in response to Legislative Council (LegCo) member Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Rahman Ibrahim’s recommendation to promote and advance Brunei as a medical tourism destination.
According to the minister, foreign patients might be attracted by international accreditation, such as Gleneagles JPMC’s Joint Commission International (JCI), which is the gold standard for healthcare providers offering a high level of patient care and safety. Additionally, Gleneagles JPMC is also one of the region’s reputed and trusted cardiac centers, providing top services and facilities equivalent to those of other major institutions. By partnering with other international institutions, Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) will be able to offer further medical treatments, such as organ transplants, making it one of the few medical facilities in the region to offer these services.
The minister also mentioned the potential of some of the specialized facilities, including the Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) Maxillofacial, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Centre (MFPRSC), the Brunei Cancer Centre, and the Brunei Neuroscience Stroke and Rehabilitation Centre. Additionally, JPMC and PJSC are now developing a plan to promote their medical services abroad, as well as to identify and analyze the market in order to establish a competitive ecosystem for medical tourism in the nation. One of the several initiatives taken by Brunei Tourism is the provision of medical packages and services to interested visitors in the Sultanate.
With a population of just over 400,000, Brunei boasts world-class medical facilities and a highly trained workforce of medical professionals. Additionally, the country’s strict adherence to Islamic values has led to the development of medical practices that prioritize both physical and spiritual well-being. Brunei’s strategic location and ease of access, combined with its high-quality healthcare offerings, make it an ideal destination for individuals seeking affordable and reliable medical treatment in a peaceful and culturally rich environment. Due to these reasons, Brunei is quickly emerging as a sought-after destination for medical tourism.
