MPs call for fair pricing and quality healthcare at private hospitals

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: mail@newsobahrain.com

The Parliament has called on Bahrain’s health regulator to address high fees at private hospitals, with MP Maryam Al Dhaen accusing some of creating a “false image” of quality by inflating costs — a step towards fairer healthcare for all. The decision came during the Parliament’s meeting yesterday.

Leading the proposal, Al Dhaen criticised what she described as “the trading of healthcare, where lives and safety are at risk”.

Illusion of quality

She argued that some hospitals raise their prices to create an illusion of quality, linking high costs with high standards in the minds of patients. “There are real dangers in setting prices artificially high or low to shape public perception,” Al Dhaen told The Daily Tribune, pressing for clear regulations.

“Low prices can make people doubt the care, while high fees may wrongly imply superior treatment. It’s time to end these misguided beliefs.”

The proposal urges the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) to step in and monitor private healthcare fees.

Private care

Parliamentarians pointed out that many citizens turn to private care due to long waits at public hospitals, only to face the added strain of high costs.

Dr Ammar Alanaisi, CEO of Taj Medical Group, added perspective from the private sector, noting that recent regulatory price cuts have intensified competition but could also impact standards of care.

“Certain hospitals have slashed fees to unsustainable levels in an effort to dominate the market, which can compromise quality,” he told The Daily Tribune.

Hope

Dr Alanaisi expressed hope that the upcoming insurance scheme could help, if carefully managed, though he cautioned against larger hospitals monopolising options.

“There’s no oversight on what private hospitals charge,” Al Dhaen added, cautioning that inflated fees risk turning fair healthcare into a luxury rather than a basic right.

Dr Alanaisi further suggested involving civil society groups, such as the Society of Owners of Private Healthcare Institutions, in healthcare policy-making, stating, “This could help keep care accessible, especially for those with limited means.”

Support

He affirmed his support for regulation should NHRA decide to pursue this approach and tighten oversight on certain services.

However, he emphasised that any monitoring should be grounded in carefully reviewed standards to ensure effective oversight, adding that robust criteria would be essential to maintain service quality without stifling the sector.

The proposal, now approved, calls on NHRA to make certain that healthcare remains fair and accessible to all, without placing undue financial burdens on citizens.