BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Ministry of Health (MoH) will increase its spending for the fourth straight fiscal year to cover rising costs of building maintenance and prescription drugs, as well as purchase and leasing of healthcare assets.
Addressing the Legislative Council last Saturday, Health Minister Dato Dr Hj Md Isham Hj Jaafar said the proposed FY 2025/26 budget has risen 13.87% compared to the current financial year, which ends on March 31.
The ministry’s budget allocations have been on an upward trend since the 2022/23 fiscal year, surging 66% from $391.9 million to over $652 million in FY 2025/26.
Dato Dr Hj Md Isham said rising costs are inevitable due to price hikes on medications, the need for advanced medical equipment, and a growing number of patients with chronic diseases.
The bump in budget also comes after the government’s recent announcement that free healthcare would be extended to stateless permanent residents of Brunei with immediate effect.
Noting that Bruneian patients are still sent abroad for free medical treatment due to lack of expertise in Brunei, the minister said the government spends millions of dollars on each patient who undergoes a bone marrow transplant because “every life is valuable”.
He said MoH will focus on developing a sustainable healthcare system to face future challenges such as increasing health costs, an ageing population, climate change and global health crisis preparedness.
MoH to promote outsourcing in healthcare delivery
To achieve a sustainable healthcare system, he said there is a need to develop private medical services to give patients more choices while promoting healthy competition among healthcare service providers.
“However, this does not mean that MoH will not invest in service improvements. On the contrary, we will be able to enhance collaboration with the private sector.
“This will increase job opportunities for locals in the private sector and develop the country’s economy, especially in the health sector,” the minister added.
Dato Dr Hj Md Isham said services that can be handled more efficiently by the private sector would be evaluated and offered to qualified companies through open bidding.
He said bids have been opened to run private dialysis facilities at Sungai Liang and Mukim Berakas B, adding that outsourced operations will encourage competition to provide the best services.
There are currently six public haemodialysis treatment centers across the four districts, with a seventh center established as part of a public-private partnership with Jerudong Park Medical Center in 2021.
Moreover, private clinics will now fully manage foreign worker health screenings to provide efficient services at competitive prices.
The Ministry of Home Affairs recently revised its medical insurance policy for foreign workers, requiring all immigration pass holders to get medical insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000. The directive will take effect on July 1.
The health minister said the policy would provide improved healthcare access to foreign workers at government or private hospitals, and protect employers from high-cost medical claims.
MoH also encouraged the establishment of more private clinics, private laboratories and allied health professional services, especially in physiotherapy and speech therapy.
Eight new private clinics have opened in the 12 months leading up to February 2025, bringing the total number of private clinics to 55.
MoH outlines priorities in provision of quality healthcare services
To provide accessible and quality healthcare services, the health ministry will focus on improving primary healthcare services and ensuring prudent spending and cost-effectiveness.
Dato Dr Hj Md Isham said his ministry will continue to upgrade health infrastructure and assets, enhance the training of healthcare professionals and expand its workforce to ensure patient safety.
MoH has allocated over $1 million to fund the training of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, scientists, and other staff in healthcare management.
The ministry is also looking to recruit more healthcare workers and reduce high workload to prevent burnout in the healthcare workforce, which can lead to medical errors.
Meanwhile, prevention and early detection of diseases will be prioritised through awareness campaigns and health screenings.
More than 10,000 women have been screened for breast cancer from 2020 to 2024, and 1% of these tests returned abnormal.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women (18%) in Brunei.
The Breast Imaging Center was established last year to handle and increase the uptake of breast cancer screenings.
In addition, nearly 5,000 women have undergone cervical cancer screening since 2023, with 0.5% of abnormal cases requiring further examination.