Health in Brunei

Brunei's healthcare system is managed by the Brunei Ministry of Health and funded by the General Treasury. It consists of around 15 health centers, ten clinics and 22 maternal facilities, considered to be of reasonable standard.[1] There are also two private hospitals. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading cause of death in the country, with life expectancy around 75 years, a vast improvement from 1961.[2] Being a strict Muslim country, various topics surrounding sexual health and suicide are taboo.

Obesity

At 7.5% of the population, Brunei has the highest obesity prevalence rate in ASEAN countries and one of the highest obesity rates in Asia.[3][4][5] Studies conducted by the Ministry of Health (Brunei) found that around 30% of school-aged children in Brunei are overweight, and 20% are obese.[6] Diabetes is the third-highest cause of death in Brunei after cancer and heart disease.[7]

Non-communicable diseases

Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases 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.[8] As the population ages, non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent. Like many developed nations, Brunei has made a 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.

Mental health

Being a culturally taboo subject, the rate of suicide has not been investigated.[9]

Healthcare

There are four government hospitals in Brunei, one in each district. The largest is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS) hospital, which had 1260 beds and has 257 doctors as of 2005[10] and is situated in the country's capital Bandar Seri Begawan. There are two private medical centers: Gleneagles JPMC Sdn Bhd.[11] and Jerudong Park Medical Centre. As of 2011, the country had a ratio of 2.8 hospital beds per 1000 people.[12] There are also 16 health centers and 10 health clinics,[13] and a health center run by Brunei Shell Petroleum is located in Panaga. The Health Promotion Centre opened in November 2008 and serves to educate the public on the importance of having a healthy lifestyle.[14]

Healthcare in Brunei is charged at B$1 per consultation for citizens[3] and is free for anyone under 12 years old.[3] The government covers the cost of sending citizens overseas to access treatments and facilities not available in the country.[15] In 2011–2012, 327 patients were treated this way in Malaysia and Singapore at a cost of $12 million.[16]

There are currently no medical schools in Brunei. Citizens wanting to study to become doctors must attend university overseas. However, the Institute of Medicines has been introduced at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam, and a new building has been built for the faculty. The construction of the building with research lab facilities was completed in 2009. There has been a School of Nursing since 1951.[17] Fifty-eight nurse managers were appointed in RIPAS to improve service and provide better medical care.[18] In December 2008, the nursing college merged with the Institute of Medicines at the University Brunei Darussalam to produce more nurses and midwives.[19] It is now called the PAPRSB (Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'datul Bolkiah) Institute of Health Sciences.[20]

The country has a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, recording 0.1% prevalence in the population,[12] and numerous AIDS awareness campaigns are currently being held.[21]

See also

List of hospitals in Brunei

References
  1. "Brunei Darussalam". www.smartraveller.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  2. "5 Facts About Healthcare in Brunei Darussalam". BORGEN. 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  3. "Brunei Darussalam – Key Information on Brunei". Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  4. "Brunei tops Asean in obesity". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  5. "Brunei obesity rate highest in region". Brusearch News. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  6. "MoH studies show rising teen obesity". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  7. "Diabetes third highest cause of death in Brunei". Borneo Bulletin. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  8. "Life expectancy at birth, total (years) - Brunei Darussalam | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  9. Shen, J (27 October 2018). "Brunei's mental health stigma: Don't call us 'orang gila'". The Scoop. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  10. "Ministry of Health - Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital". www.moh.gov.bn. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  11. "Gleneagles JPMC". Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  12. "Brunei". CIA World Factbook. 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. Oxford Business Group 2013, pp. 170
  14. Bandar Seri Begawan (17 April 2009). "HRH visits Health Promotion Centre | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  15. Journal of Defense & Diplomacy. Vol. 4. Defense & Diplomacy, Incorporated. 1986.
  16. "$12m spent on overseas treatment". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  17. T. S. Sorokina (2006). "Nursing staff education in Brunei". Problemy sotsial'noi gigieny, zdravookhraneniia i istorii meditsiny (3): 51–3. PMID 17004384.
  18. Bandar Seri Begawan (19 March 2009). "58 nurse managers appointed | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  19. Hadi Dp Mahmudbandar Seri Begawan (6 December 2008). "Problem needs nursing with care". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  20. "Institute of Medicine". Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  21. Hassan, Billah. "Brunei HIV/AIDS awareness programme successful". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
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