BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is scheduled to undergo a total knee replacement this Sunday (Jan. 18) at Jerudong Park Medical Centre, in order to restore knee function and increase mobility in his right knee.
The surgery will be performed by Dr Andrew Freiberg, an orthopedic surgeon from the United States, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Tuesday evening.
His Majesty’s recovery period will take “two to three months”, during which he will limit public engagements. However, the sultan will continue to carry out official duties, his Office said.
The announcement comes seven months after he was hospitalised for fatigue while attending the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Since then, the sultan has kept up his demanding public schedule, including official visits to South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam and Hungary.
Hajat prayers for the 79-year-old monarch will be held on Thursday evening (Jan. 15) at all mosques, surau and religious halls throughout the country. They will continue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday alongside other special religious events.
The Prime Minister’s Office urged the community to pray for His Majesty’s health and swift recovery.