(Bandar Seri Begawan, 10th) Starting from July 1, 2025, with the update of the medical service fee policy, holders of the purple identity card (permanent residents with foreign nationality) as well as Bruneian citizens' spouses who hold foreign nationality purple ICs will have to bear their own treatment costs.
Minister of Health Dato Isham announced this information during a press conference at the ministry’s hall held this morning to update the medical service fee policy.
However, the following patients will be exempted from medical charges:
a. Patients currently undergoing treatment at the Jerudong Park Medical Centre and government hospitals (as of July 1, 2025). These patients’ treatment costs will be covered by the government until their treatment is completed or they are discharged;
b. Patients with mental illness as defined under the Mental Health Act Chapter 257; and
c. Patients with infectious diseases as defined under the Infectious Diseases Act (Amendment) Order 2020. In certain cases, such as patients with financial difficulties, the Ministry of Health will refer them to the department of medical social workers for assessment for special assistance.
For eligible patients, the Ministry of Health may at its discretion provide assistance through the following ways: application for aid from the Ministry of Health Patient Assistance Charity Fund, Brunei Islamic Religious Council, Sultan’s Foundation, or payment of medical costs by installment.
For public reference, previously the government used a large budget allocation to pay for treatment costs, with the allocation amount increasing year by year. For the 2024/2025 period, the total fiscal expenditure on treatment for purple IC holders (permanent residents and foreigners residing with citizens) and their spouses (residing with other citizens) at government medical institutions and the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (PJSC) is estimated to reach nearly 70 million Brunei dollars, of which 28 million is spent at PJSC, with the remainder spent at government medical institutions.
Generally, in other countries, treatment costs are borne by permanent residents and foreigners and are subject to the respective national health protection systems. However, even citizens in those countries must bear their own treatment expenses.
In view of this, the Ministry of Health recommends that those affected by the updated service fee policy purchase health insurance to protect themselves and their families from the financial burden of medical expenses (including hospitalization, medicine, and specialist treatment fees).
The Ministry of Health will always ensure that no one is refused treatment, especially in emergency situations where immediate treatment is needed. The Ministry of Health is always committed to providing safe and high-quality medical care and treatment services to the public in accordance with international standards.
Minister of Health Dato Isham announced this information during a press conference at the ministry’s hall held this morning to update the medical service fee policy.
However, the following patients will be exempted from medical charges:
a. Patients currently undergoing treatment at the Jerudong Park Medical Centre and government hospitals (as of July 1, 2025). These patients’ treatment costs will be covered by the government until their treatment is completed or they are discharged;
b. Patients with mental illness as defined under the Mental Health Act Chapter 257; and
c. Patients with infectious diseases as defined under the Infectious Diseases Act (Amendment) Order 2020. In certain cases, such as patients with financial difficulties, the Ministry of Health will refer them to the department of medical social workers for assessment for special assistance.
For eligible patients, the Ministry of Health may at its discretion provide assistance through the following ways: application for aid from the Ministry of Health Patient Assistance Charity Fund, Brunei Islamic Religious Council, Sultan’s Foundation, or payment of medical costs by installment.
For public reference, previously the government used a large budget allocation to pay for treatment costs, with the allocation amount increasing year by year. For the 2024/2025 period, the total fiscal expenditure on treatment for purple IC holders (permanent residents and foreigners residing with citizens) and their spouses (residing with other citizens) at government medical institutions and the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (PJSC) is estimated to reach nearly 70 million Brunei dollars, of which 28 million is spent at PJSC, with the remainder spent at government medical institutions.
Generally, in other countries, treatment costs are borne by permanent residents and foreigners and are subject to the respective national health protection systems. However, even citizens in those countries must bear their own treatment expenses.
In view of this, the Ministry of Health recommends that those affected by the updated service fee policy purchase health insurance to protect themselves and their families from the financial burden of medical expenses (including hospitalization, medicine, and specialist treatment fees).
The Ministry of Health will always ensure that no one is refused treatment, especially in emergency situations where immediate treatment is needed. The Ministry of Health is always committed to providing safe and high-quality medical care and treatment services to the public in accordance with international standards.