Thursday, 20th August 2026 – Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) successfully hosted its Compassionate Healthcare Symposium today at the RF Floor of the Specialist Medical Services Building (previously referred to as PJSC), bringing together members of the JPMC community to explore how empathy, compassion and human connection can be embedded into the delivery of healthcare.
Chaired by Dr. Si Lay Khaing, the symposium provided a dedicated platform for healthcare professionals, clinicians, legal experts, and nursing leaders to examine the human dimensions of care. Officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of JPMC, the symposium reflected JPMC’s commitment to leading with empathy and ensuring that excellence in healthcare extends beyond clinical expertise.
The programme brought together perspectives from clinical, spiritual, legal and nursing disciplines to explore the many dimensions of compassionate healthcare. Ustaz Ahmad Muzhafar, Religious Development Officer at Pusat Dakwah Islamiah, opened the session with foundational insights into compassion in healthcare. This was followed by Pg Dr Hjh Siti Nur’ Ashikin Pg Dato Paduka Hj Tengah, Director of Brunei Neuroscience, Stroke & Rehabilitation Centre, who addressed the importance of transparency when communicating adverse events and unanticipated outcomes.
The symposium then moved into more challenging moments in healthcare, where Dr. Si Lay Khaing, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, and Mr. Kevin Lo, Legal Counsel, shared guidance on navigating difficult conversations, conflict and sensitive situations while preserving dignity and respect. Dato’ Dr. Zaliha binti Omar, Consultant Rehabilitation Medicine, explored approaches to breaking bad news with empathy, while Staff Nurse, Norfouziah Reha Zisah binti Md Daud, addressed the sensitivities surrounding end-of-life care through a session on the last office with compassion.
These perspectives were synthesised during a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Ms. Jang Tracy Ramantan McGlynn, JPMC’s People Manager. The panel featured all the preceding speakers excluding Ustaz Ahmad, fostering an interactive dialogue on how compassion can be translated into a consistent standard of care across different clinical and professional settings. The conversation emphasised building a shared institutional culture in which every tier of the workforce contributes to the patient’s experience.
To bring these principles into everyday clinical practice, the symposium also featured interactive roleplay sessions across the morning and afternoon. Participants simulated delicate patient interactions and emotionally challenging scenarios, providing an opportunity to practise empathetic communication, navigate difficult conversations and consider how their words, actions and manner can shape a patient’s experience of care.
Closing the symposium, Datin Dr. Hajah Noraslinah binti Haji Ramlee, Consultant Physician and Patient Centred Care (PCC) Chapter Leader emphasised that true clinical excellence is achieved when medical proficiency is matched by genuine human empathy. The symposium reinforces JPMC’s intention to lead not only through the quality of its clinical services, but also through the way care is delivered: with empathy, compassion, dignity and respect. These principles will continue to guide JPMC’s efforts to create a healthcare environment where patients and their caregivers feel supported, understood and cared for at every stage of their journey.
About Jerudong Park Medical Centre – “Your Healthcare Partner for Life”
The Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), Brunei’s leading private hospital, offers comprehensive healthcare services in a serene setting along the South China Sea. Accredited four times by the Joint Commission International (JCI), JPMC is renowned for its commitment to patient safety, quality care, and global standards. Integrated with Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC), JPMC now delivers enhanced specialised services and advanced medical solutions. Combining expertise and innovation, JPMC continues to set the benchmark for excellence in healthcare, ensuring holistic well-being for every patient.
