Dr. Siti Norzahirah Abu Bakar

Dr. Siti Norzahirah Abu Bakar is a cardiologist at Ripas Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan, providing non-invasive cardiac services within Brunei's national health system. With 12 years of experience, she manages a full range of cardiovascular conditions common in Brunei's population. Dr. Siti trained at the University of Brunei Darussalam and completed her MRCP (UK) — the prestigious Royal College of Physicians postgraduate examination — before undertaking echocardiography training. Brunei's high rates of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension create a significant cardiovascular disease burden, and her practice at Ripas Hospital addresses this directly. For complex interventional procedures such as coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, she coordinates referrals to Singapore or Malaysia through Ripas Hospital's established international referral system, facilitating access to the advanced cardiac care not currently available within Brunei.

Dr. Siti earned her MBBS from the University of Brunei Darussalam and completed her internal medicine and cardiology training, obtaining MRCP (UK) — the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom. She completed echocardiography training and holds a Certificate in Echocardiography, enabling comprehensive cardiac imaging assessment at Ripas Hospital. She participates in continuing cardiology education through the Brunei Medical Association and attends regional cardiology meetings in Singapore and Malaysia to remain current with evidence-based cardiology practice and evolving guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology.

Dr. Siti performs transthoracic echocardiography for assessment of cardiac function, valvular disease — including rheumatic valvular conditions — cardiomyopathy, and pericardial disease. She manages hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, heart failure with guideline-directed medical therapy optimisation, atrial fibrillation including anticoagulation management, coronary artery disease risk stratification, and valvular heart disease surveillance. She performs and interprets ECG, Holter monitoring, and exercise stress testing for ischaemia evaluation and arrhythmia assessment. She coordinates referrals to Singapore or Malaysia for patients requiring coronary angiography, PCI, electrophysiology procedures, or valve surgery.

Dr. Siti participates in Brunei Medical Association continuing education and has contributed to local cardiovascular health audit data. She is focused primarily on clinical cardiology practice within Brunei's national health system.

Dr. Siti sees international patients and expatriates at Ripas Hospital, including Brunei's significant oil and gas industry workforce from Malaysia, the Philippines, India, and Western nations. She consults in Malay and English, providing cardiology consultations and cardiac monitoring for expatriate patients whose cardiovascular care requirements arise during their posting in Brunei. For patients requiring interventional cardiac procedures not available within Brunei, she facilitates well-coordinated referrals to specialist cardiac centres in Singapore or Malaysia, providing relevant clinical documentation and imaging reports. Video consultations are available for cardiac follow-up for patients who have returned abroad.

Dr. Siti has been recognised by Ripas Hospital for contributions to cardiology services in Brunei's national health system. She holds the MRCP (UK) from the Royal College of Physicians — a prestigious postgraduate credential reflecting internationally benchmarked clinical competency in cardiology and internal medicine. She is a member of the Brunei Medical Association and the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology, participating in regional cardiovascular education and professional development programmes. She contributes to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness campaigns within Ripas Hospital and participates in multidisciplinary cardiac care for complex cases requiring input from multiple specialties.