Parliament approves 100% Bahrainisation in nursing at SMC and health centres

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Parliament has approved a proposal to achieve full Bahrainisation in nursing roles at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) and health centres, despite concerns it targets an already accomplished goal. The Ministry of Health had previously announced that all nursing positions in health centres were filled by Bahrainis.

MP Dr Muneer Seroor, who put forward the proposal, argued for its importance, saying: “Nurses in Bahrain should be Bahraini. Nursing is a humanitarian profession, and cultural understanding is essential.” However, MP Khalid Buanaq dismissed the proposal as unnecessary.

Resources

“The Ministry of Health confirmed last year that Bahrainisation in health centres had already reached 100 per cent. Resources would be better spent addressing the employment of Bahraini doctors and increasing medical scholarships,” he said. Buanaq also called on the Ministry of Education to increase funding for medical studies, echoing calls for more support for aspiring healthcare workers. MP Zainab Abdulameer suggested the proposal should focus on increasing scholarships for nursing, particularly for high-achieving students eager to pursue the profession.

Names

MP Mamdouh Al Saleh questioned the need for the proposal altogether, stating: “There are no unemployed Bahraini nurses. If anyone claims otherwise, they should provide names to clarify the situation.” The Services Committee, which reviewed the proposal, unanimously recommended its approval. They cited the importance of ensuring national employment in the healthcare sector, even if Bahrainisation targets in some areas had already been met.

Hiring policy

In its response, the Ministry of Health reiterated its hiring policy: “Bahrainis are always the first choice for medical and nursing roles. We aim to fill vacancies with qualified nationals while ensuring the continuity of healthcare services.” The Civil Service Bureau also weighed in, referencing regulations under Law No. 23 of 2018 and Decision No. 52 of 2021, which govern employment in public healthcare facilities.

Both frameworks aim to ensure Bahrainis have priority in hiring decisions, as long as there are sufficient resources and suitable candidates.

Achievements

Dr Seroor said the proposal was inspired by the achievements of Bahraini healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the steady stream of graduates from the College of Health & Sport Sciences. He argued the move could create additional opportunities for Bahraini jobseekers in the sector. Buanaq, however, remained sceptical, reiterating that the proposal addressed an issue already resolved.

Real gaps

“We should focus on the real gaps, such as employing Bahraini doctors and providing more scholarships for medical studies,” he said. The Ministry of Health provided data to Parliament outlining the current composition of nursing staff at public facilities, showing the dominance of Bahraini workers in these roles.

The debate over the proposal has shone a light on broader questions about how resources should be allocated in Bahrain’s healthcare system to best serve both its workforce and its patients.