Private Hospital Halts Operations, Staff Unpaid for Months

TDT | Manama

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A private hospital in Bahrain has stopped most of its operations and turned away patients, leaving staff unpaid for months and uncertain of their future. Around 30 specialities have been affected, including general surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, IVF, paediatrics, and cosmetic procedures. No explanation has been provided for the sudden halt in services.

Staff report they have not received their salaries for two months, forcing some to resign. Despite the financial strain, the medical team continued to care for patients and perform surgeries until late August, when the hospital abruptly stopped all surgical procedures. Operations have since been scaled back to outpatient services only.

Workers have lodged complaints with the Ministry of Labour over the unpaid wages. A delegation from the ministry visited the hospital yesterday to investigate the situation and seek swift solutions. Hospital management has promised to address the issue within weeks, but details remain scarce.

A doctor, speaking anonymously, said the hospital employs about 190 staff members, roughly 50 of whom are Bahrainis. The last salary payments were made in June, with no wages received for July or August. “There doesn’t seem to be any end in sight,” the doctor said, as the hospital appears to be moving towards further suspending operations.

Frustration among staff is mounting, with many feeling left in the dark by hospital management. “In the last week of August, surgeries were suddenly cancelled without any explanation,” said a nurse who recently resigned.

The hospital's management has yet to make any public statements, and attempts to get further information from the Ministry of Labour have so far been unsuccessful.