Bandar Seri Begawan, 24 October 2026 – Brunei Darussalam’s liver transplant programme, led by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), has successfully completed ten adult living donor liver transplants, marking an important milestone in the development of specialised healthcare services in the country.
The progress of the programme is being highlighted at the Liver Transplant Programme Press Meet, which brings together healthcare leaders and clinicians to share the collaboration, clinical expertise and multidisciplinary care behind the delivery of liver transplantation in Brunei Darussalam. Established in February 2025, the programme brings together the clinical expertise, facilities and coordinated care required to support the entire transplant journey, from recipient and donor assessment, surgery, postoperative care, and continuing follow-up.
Pengiran Dr. Haji Md Khalifah bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, Director General Medical and Health Services of the Ministry of Health, in his statement mentioned that the development of the liver transplant programme reflects the value of collaboration between MOH, JPMC and the specialist team involved, in enabling Bruneian healthcare professionals to contribute to highly specialised care delivered locally, while helping suitable patients receive treatment closer to home. He further stated that the priority is to build the capability responsibly, with patient and donor welfare at its centre.
The programme draws on expertise across surgery, hepatology, anaesthesia, intensive care, radiology, pathology, infectious diseases, pharmacy, nursing and allied health services. JPMC supports its delivery through its facilities, clinical services and multidisciplinary teams, working alongside MOH colleagues and visiting specialists. Bruneian clinicians are also playing an active role in the surgical team. Visiting transplant surgeon Dr. P Balachandran Menon, Visiting Consultant Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon and his team are working alongside a local surgical team which includes Dr. Amy Thien, Consultant General Surgeon contributing to the development of local surgical expertise through shared clinical practice.
Dr. P Balachandran Menon said:
“Dr. Amy is a valued member of the surgical team, and her contribution highlights the expertise Bruneian doctors bring to this programme. Liver transplantation depends on close collaboration across many disciplines. Working together strengthens the collective experience needed to develop and sustain transplant care here in Brunei.”
The involvement of Bruneian healthcare professionals extends across the transplant journey, from assessment and preparation to post operative care and follow-up. This multidisciplinary approach provides opportunities to build local clinical experience while strengthening the systems and coordination required to deliver a complex, specialized service.
Dr. Pg Siti Nur’ashikin Pg Dato Paduka Hj Tengah, Acting Chief Medical Officer of JPMC said: “A liver transplant programme requires careful assessment, close coordination between teams and continuing follow-up for both recipients and donors. Helping patients and families understand each stage of the process is an important part of building confidence in the care available here in Brunei.”
For suitably selected patients and their families, access to liver transplant in Brunei Darussalam means receiving treatment closer to home and their support networks. Local access also ease the practical demands associated with overseas treatment, including travel, accommodation, and extended time away from home.
The programme is preparing for its eleventh transplant, scheduled for 25 October 2026, subject to final clinical assessment. As the programme continues to develop, its focus remains on strengthening local expertise, deepening multidisciplinary teamwork, and maintaining the quality, safety and continuity of care for both recipients and donors.
About Jerudong Park Medical Centre
Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), a subsdiairy of Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd (DA), is a private hospital in Brunei Darussalam providing general, specialist and surgical healthcare through coordinated multidisciplinary teams. JPMC became the first hospital in Brunei Darussalam to receive Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation in 2014, with subsequent reaccreditation in 2017, 2020 and 2023, reflecting its ongoing commitment to patient safety, quality care and continuous improvement.
