30 October 2025 – Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) held a ceremony to mark World Stroke Day 2025 at the Lobby, Level 2 of the PJSC Building, under the global theme #EveryMinuteCounts. The campaign highlights the importance of recognising stroke symptoms early and acting FAST to save lives and reduce disability.
The event was graced by the Guest of Honour, Yang Mulia Dr. Hajah Rafidah binti Gharif, Acting Permanent Secretary (Professional), Ministry of Health. Also in attendance were Yang Mulia Pengiran Mohammad Khiruddin bin Pengiran Haji Yusoff, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Management), healthcare professionals, stroke survivors, staff of JPMC, and members of the public.
The programme began with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, followed by a welcoming speech delivered by Dr. Sunil Upadhyaya, Consultant Neurosurgeon of JPMC, who highlighted the global and local burden of stroke and called for collective action in prevention and early recognition.
“Globally, stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability. There are nearly 12 million new strokes each year worldwide, that means one stroke occurs every three seconds,” Dr. Sunil said.
“According to the World Stroke Organisation, one in four adults aged 25 years and above will experience a stroke in their lifetime. Stroke is no longer just a disease of the elderly, as 15% occur in people aged 15 to 49.”
He shared that in Brunei Darussalam, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death, with more than 400 new cases recorded annually. From 2020 to 2024, BNSRC recorded an estimated 450 admissions for ischemic stroke and between 103–155 cases of haemorrhagic stroke each year. “A higher proportion of cases were male, and 70% of patients were known to have hypertension,” he noted.
This year, BNSRC is placing a strong focus on raising awareness of hypertensive haemorrhagic stroke through community outreach programmes and educational sessions across the country. The initiative aims to highlight the dangers of uncontrolled hypertension, often referred to as the “silent killer”, and to promote early detection and prevention through healthier lifestyles. The event also featured a heartfelt testimony by a BNSRC patient, followed by the official launch of World Stroke Day 2025.
JPMC encourages the public to take proactive steps by regularly checking blood pressure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding smoking. Communities are also urged to promote stroke awareness through screenings, education, and support for survivors.
Through this initiative, JPMC reaffirms its commitment to promoting awareness, prevention, and recovery in line with its mission to provide comprehensive and compassionate healthcare services for the community. World Stroke Day, celebrated annually on 29 October, serves as a reminder that every minute counts in recognising and responding to stroke symptoms.
