Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (R.I.P.A.S), the largest national hospital in Brunei Darussalam become operational in 1984. Twenty two years is not long in the history of an institution. But when one considers that these were the preliminary founding years, they become significant. This is because it is during this period that vigorous development and modernisations started to take place in line with the country achieving independence. Much has been initiated to develop institution’s mission, strategies, standards and work-culture. Bruneisiation of its workforce remains a priority for the Government to determine its ability to self-run the medical institution whilst building strong image and performance in the decades that follow.

A review of the last twenty years will show that the R.I.P.A.S Hospital has done fairly well for itself. From being conceived as a modern district hospital for the capital area, it has evolved into the apex tertiary-care referral center for the country. Blessed with the ongoing Government support for its current needs in terms of architecture, infrastructure and facilities, the Ministry of Health has spared no effort in providing adequate manpower and financial resources. Thus, a strong focus has been given to continuously upgrading the professional skills of its workforce from doctors to nurses and allied health staffs through trainings and work attachments in various renowned overseas medical establishments.

Further, the Ministry’s stress on developing the country’s network of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, and on an effective patient-referral system, have enabled the R.I.P.A.S Hospital to give importance to and focus on its changed mandate. Given this favorable situation, it has been possible for the Hospital to upgrade standards comparable with those of renowned hospitals in the developed world. In keeping with its tertiary-care character, the Hospital has expanded and upgraded its critical-care facilities and high-tech equipment. The various specialties and sub-specialties have also continuously improved their in-house capability, and have made Brunei Darussalam largely self-sufficient in terms of medical care.

The Hospital continues to give priority to improving the quality and standard of service. The initiatives taken in this regard have included: BCLS and ACLS certification of staff, CME activities by most departments, credit-points system for staff who participate in continuing education activities, formalizing clinical and work process guidelines and protocols, monitoring of occupational injuries, infection control surveillance and control, clinical audits, quality management activities such clients’ charter, Quality Control Circles, upgrading patients focused facilities and patients oriented continuous care as well as patient satisfaction surveys.

While the Hospital crosses its twentieth milestone, it is aimed that, with the dedication of its staff, it will work towards a higher level of excellence, keep abreast with the ever changing medical technology, practice evidence-based medicine, extend the highest quality of care feasible, and provide leadership in medical care for Brunei Darussalam health sector.