TACOMA, Washington — Brunei Darussalam is a small island country located in Southeast Asia. It has a population of approximately 459,500. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. The majority of Brunei’s wealth has accumulated from its abundance of petroleum and natural gas. It also boasts one of the highest per capita GDP in the world. Brunei has a highly developed infrastructure that provides accessible healthcare to all Bruneians. However, there are still areas for growth. Here are five things to know about healthcare in Brunei Darussalam.
Five Facts About Healthcare in Brunei Darussalam
- Brunei was one of few countries to get ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country had its first case in March. Their total number of confirmed cases is less than 150, with only three of those resulting in death. The Ministry of Health implemented strict regulations to control the spread of disease by requiring that all Bruneians coming from abroad self-isolate for 14 days. It is strictly enforced, with citizens facing imprisonment for up to six months or a $10,000 fine otherwise. Through diligent surveillance, rigorous contact tracing and mass testing the country was able to contain the spread of the disease.
- Citizens receive free healthcare in Brunei Darussalam. Brunei’s General Treasury funds its healthcare system. Approximately 15 health centers, ten clinics and 22 maternal and child healthcare facilities comprise the healthcare system. Also, the country has two private hospitals. The costs for services at these private facilities are covered by insurance if a patient is referred through a public healthcare facility.
- Although healthcare is free for all citizens, it isn’t easily accessible to everyone. Healthcare facilities are not evenly distributed among Brunei’s four districts. Citizens living in rural districts must travel long distances to be serviced. This is especially concerning if the individual is elderly or disabled. Although a flying medical program services these areas, it is often not enough.
- The Ministry of Health created a “one patient, one record” electronic data management system called Bru-HIMS. As a result, a patient’s record is synched in real-time to the system. Thus, making it accessible from all healthcare facilities, public and private, in Brunei. The compilation of this data allows healthcare professionals to provide patients with better care and service. As of 2016, 90% of the population has registered for the system using an app on their mobile smartphones.
- Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, are the leading cause of death in the country. The overall life expectancy for Bruneians in 2018 was 75 years which was a 20-year increase from 1961. As the population ages, non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent. Like many developed nations, Brunei has taken great effort to tackle NCDs by making preventative care accessible. In addition, they are raising awareness in their communities about the risks of smoking, sedentary lifestyles and eating processed foods.
Brunei has made massive strides in providing great healthcare to its citizens by utilizing new technologies and providing free healthcare. The country’s efforts have paid off as they were able to effectively slow the spread of COVID-19 and increase the average life expectancy of the general population. However, as the population ages, Brunei will need to continue with its upward trajectory to combat non-communicable diseases that are plaguing citizens. The Ministry of Health’s dedication to providing the best healthcare service to its citizens is evident in their efforts. The future looks bright for healthcare in Brunei Darussalam.
– Jasmine Daniel
Photo: Flickr