Dedicated cancer hospital for Southern Governorate

TDT | Manama

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A dedicated cancer hospital may soon be established for residents of the Southern Governorate, eliminating the need for a 40-minute journey to King Hamad University Hospital, if a proposal by MP Ali Al Noaimi is approved by Parliament.

The Parliament's Services Committee has recommended approval of the proposal, citing several factors, including the increasing prevalence of cancer, the lack of a specialised cancer hospital in the region, the need to ease the burden on oncology centres at Salmaniya Medical Complex and King Hamad University Hospital, and the desire to improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services provided by the Ministry of Health.

In response, the Ministry of Health stated that the Supreme Health Council, through its Training and Health Strategic Planning Committee, is evaluating the Kingdom's healthcare needs as health insurance is implemented and public hospitals and primary healthcare centres transition to self-management.

This evaluation will take into account urban and population growth, as well as the feasibility of establishing medical centres under the health insurance system. The Ministry also highlighted that the National Cancer Centre at King Hamad University Hospital, a national facility specialising in cancer treatment, already serves citizens across the Kingdom, including those in the Southern Governorate.

"The centre operates in line with global best practices, utilising advanced medical technologies for cancer detection and treatment, thus addressing the Kingdom's cancer care needs and fulfilling the objectives outlined in the proposal," the Ministry said in its written response.