🇧🇳 Brunei Healthcare Guide
RIPAS Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan is Brunei's main public facility and provides free emergency care to everyone, including visitors — an unusually generous policy in the region. The country is small and distances are short, and English is widely spoken across the healthcare system, making Brunei one of the more straightforward countries in Southeast Asia to navigate as a patient — carrying your passport is all you need to access the free emergency services.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 991
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $30 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan is Brunei’s main public hospital, well-funded by oil revenue and offering modern facilities. The public system provides subsidised care to visitors (BND 1/$0.75 per outpatient visit, BND 3 per hospital day). Brunei’s small population and wealth mean facilities are well-maintained, but specialist depth is limited for a country of this income level. Temburong District is separated from the rest of Brunei by Malaysian territory.
Heavily subsidised visitor care
Brunei charges visitors just BND 1 per outpatient visit and BND 3 per hospital day at public facilities. This is among the cheapest healthcare access globally.
Temburong isolation
Temburong District is separated from Bandar by Malaysian territory. Reaching RIPAS Hospital from Temburong requires crossing the border or taking a boat.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Brunei’s pharmacies are well-stocked by Southeast Asian standards, following a mix of UK and Malaysian pharmaceutical conventions. Alcohol-based medications (certain cough syrups, tinctures) may be restricted under Brunei’s sharia law. Carry your full supply and check whether any of your medications contain alcohol or other restricted substances.
Alcohol-based medication restrictions
Brunei’s sharia law restricts alcohol, which extends to some alcohol-based medications. Check your medications’ ingredients before travelling.
Tips for travellers
RIPAS Hospital covers routine specialist care, but complex conditions are typically referred to Singapore (Mount Elizabeth, SGH) or Kuala Lumpur (Gleneagles, Prince Court), both accessible by direct flight. Having your treatment plan accessible in English or Malay helps Bruneian specialists continue your care or prepare referral documentation.
Singapore and KL referrals
Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are the primary specialist referral destinations, both accessible by direct 2-hour flights from Bandar.