Shura Council Committee Debates Timeshare Regulation and Healthcare Sector Reforms

TDT | Manama

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The Services Committee of the Shura Council discussed on Monday two crucial legislative proposals: a draft law regulating timeshare in accommodation units and a proposed amendment to the law governing private healthcare institutions.

The committee delved into the draft law aimed at regulating timeshare arrangements in accommodation units. This legislation seeks to establish clear legal frameworks that safeguard the rights of all parties involved and define their respective obligations. The objective is to create a more transparent and secure environment for timeshare transactions, thereby encouraging investment in the tourism and real estate sectors.

The committee explored the principles and foundations of the draft law, emphasising its focus on contractual freedom and flexibility in agreements between parties.

This approach aims to make timeshare activities more attractive to investors. The proposed law also aims to enhance consumer confidence among citizens, residents, and visitors to Bahrain by ensuring transparency and accountability in dealings with companies operating in the timeshare sector.

Moreover, the committee reviewed reports from the House of Representatives, input from relevant stakeholders, and the opinion of the Shura Council's Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee.

They also conducted comparative studies of similar legislation in other countries. The committee decided to invite relevant stakeholders to share their observations and recommendations on the draft law.

The committee also examined a proposed amendment to Decree Law No. (21) of 2015 concerning private healthcare institutions. This amendment, proposed by Dr Ibtisam Al Dallal, Jamal Fakhro, Dr Jihad Al Fadhel, Dalal Al Zayed, and Dr Jameela Al Salman, aims to align the law with the current realities of healthcare regulation and define the responsibilities of the National Health Regulatory Authority (as the implementer of health policies) and the Supreme Health Council (as the policymaker and supervisor of the authority).

The proposed law aims to safeguard the rights of licensed Bahrainis to practice one of the health professions by allowing them to establish a private clinic, alternative medicine center, or any medical auxiliary profession, similar to some other professions.

The establishment of these private health institutions is limited to licensed Bahrainis practicing one of the specialties listed under the institution's activities—as a general rule.

However, the proposed law permits the licensee to establish a hospital to be a natural person, a company, an authority, an organization, or a branch of a foreign health institution. During the meeting, the committee reviewed the Ministry of Health's views regarding the proposed law.