KUCHING: Sarawak has lost one of its pioneering nursing figures with the passing of Jane Buncuan, a respected nurse, educator and community leader whose decades of service helped strengthen nursing education, maternal and child healthcare, and community welfare.
A native of Kampung Batu Danau in Limbang, Jane passed away on Jun 4 at Bellvitge University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, while on a pilgrimage.
According to a statement issued by Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak Cawangan Bandar Kuching (PBSCBK), Malaysian representatives were with her during her final moments.
The process of repatriating her remains took some time due to the documentation requirements and procedures involved following her death overseas.
Her remains are expected to be brought home to Sarawak after a visitation at the Kwong Tong Funeral Parlour in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Aug 13), from approximately 10.30am to 11pm.
The transfer of her remains from Kuala Lumpur to Miri is planned for Friday (Aug 14), subject to flight arrangements.
Upon arrival in Miri, her remains will be received by Kang Funeral Service before being transported by road to Limbang.
A funeral mass is scheduled to be held at St John Apostle Church in Liok Batu, Limbang, at 9am on Monday (Aug 17), followed by burial at the Catholic Cemetery in Bakul.
PBSCBK said Jane’s passing is deeply felt across the nursing profession, academic community, Catholic healthcare network and Bisaya community, all of which she served throughout her life.
She began her career in public health nursing before becoming a lecturer and later managing Maternal and Child Health Services at both the district and divisional levels.
Her responsibilities placed her at the heart of efforts to improve healthcare for mothers and children, particularly through public health services and nursing education.
She later joined Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), where she was among three pioneers involved in establishing the university’s Bachelor of Nursing with Honours programme.
Her contribution extended beyond teaching, as she also played a role in developing the programme’s curriculum and addressing relevant legal and academic matters.
Through her work at UNIMAS, Jane helped lay the foundation for the training of future generations of nurses in Sarawak.
Her professional journey was supported by advanced qualifications in nursing, public health, nutrition and midwifery, reflecting a lifelong commitment to learning and improving healthcare standards.
Beyond her formal career, Jane remained actively involved in professional, social, cultural and welfare organisations.
She had served as president of the Catholic Nurses Guild Malaysia since 2018, providing leadership within a network that brought together nursing service and the Catholic faith.
She was also active in the Sarawak Bisaya Association, contributing to initiatives aimed at strengthening the community’s cultural identity and supporting social and welfare activities.
Her involvement with the Malaysian Nurses Association and Sarawak Women for Women Society saw her contribute to health programmes, seminars, community outreach activities and initiatives supporting women’s empowerment.
Her service also reached the international level through the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants, known as CICIAMS.
On Jun 13 2024, while serving as chair of the organisation’s Statutes Committee, she represented CICIAMS at the Annual Meeting of Moderators of Ecclesiastical Movements and New Communities in Vatican City.
The meeting was organised by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and included an address by the late Pope Francis as well as an individual greeting.
Her participation reflected her standing within the international Catholic healthcare community and her commitment to ensuring that nurses continued to contribute to wider discussions on faith, healthcare and service.
Throughout her life, Jane was known not only for her professional achievements but also for her compassion, generosity and willingness to serve others.
Her contributions spanned several areas, from caring for mothers and children and educating aspiring nurses to supporting women, preserving Bisaya community ties and representing Catholic nurses internationally.
