BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Marking an important milestone in the development of specialised healthcare services within the country, Brunei’s liver transplant programme, led by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), successfully completed 10 adult living donor liver transplants.
The achievement and progress of the programme was highlighted at the Liver Transplant Programme Press Meet on Saturday (Oct 24).
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.
Director General of Medical and Health Services, Ministry of Health Dr Md Khalifah Ismail said 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.
JPMC also supports its delivery through its facilities, clinical services and multidisciplinary teams, working alongside MoH colleagues and visiting specialists.
Visiting Consultant, Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon Dr P. Balachandran Menon and his team are working alongside a local surgical team which includes Consultant General Surgeon Dr Amy Thien, contributing to the development of local surgical expertise through shared clinical practice.
Meanwhile Acting Chief Medical Officer of JPMC Dr Siti Nur’ashikin Datuk Paduka Tengah 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.”
The programme is preparing for its 11th transplant, scheduled Sunday (Oct 25), subject to final clinical assessment. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
