Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) announced a historic achievement in Brunei Darussalam’s healthcare landscape: the successful completion of the nation’s first-ever liver transplant from a living donor.

The ground-breaking procedure, conducted on 1st February, involved a 35-year-old daughter, who donated a portion of her liver to her 59-year-old father. Both individuals are in stable condition and continue to recover under close medical supervision at JPMC.

Previously, liver transplants required overseas treatment, but the successful operation has demonstrated Brunei’s ability to provide specialised transplant care locally, improving patient recovery outcomes while reducing medical costs for the nation. 

This accomplishment also aligns with the vision to make Brunei self-sufficient in healthcare and promote medical tourism, said Dr. Meera Sahib Kabeer, Chief Medical Officer of JPMC in a press conference held at the Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre.

The surgery was led by Dr. Palat Balachandran, alongside a highly skilled team of specialists; while Dr. Taufique Ahmed, Visiting Consultant, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at JPMC prepared the patient and donor for the transplant surgery.