Shura Committee to vote on bill mandating 50% Bahrainisation rate in private healthcare facilities

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The upcoming session of the Shura Council will vote on a proposed law aimed at mandating a 50% Bahrainisation rate in private healthcare facilities, ensuring the inclusion of qualified Bahraini professionals.

The government has expressed concerns that setting a fixed Bahrainisation percentage may restrict both the state and private health institutions’ flexibility to adapt to changes in the healthcare sector.

They argue that such rigidity could hinder necessary future adjustments, given that laws tend to have a degree of permanence.

This could obstruct the evolution of healthcare services and their efficiency.

Services

Furthermore, the government contends that a fixed percentage does not accurately reflect the practical realities of various specialties, particularly those that are rare, specialised, or newly emerging, potentially causing disruptions in the healthcare sector and affecting the quality of services provided.

According to the proposed law’s new provision, private healthcare institutions must maintain a sufficient number of medical, technical, and nursing staff who meet the necessary qualifications, with at least 50% of the workforce being Bahraini. This requirement would be based on the classification of the healthcare institution and the services it provides, tailored to its capacity for patient care.

Qualifications

Any hiring beyond this percentage would prioritise Bahraini doctors, technicians, and nurses, provided they meet the required qualifications, with exceptions for positions demanding rare specialized expertise.

Several government entities, including the Supreme Health Council, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, the Tamkeen Labour Fund, and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have opposed the initiative.

However, the Shura Council’s Services Committee, headed by Dr Jameela Al Salman, has recommended its approval.