NHRA receives 161 applications to set up health institutions

Manama : More than 160 applications to set up health institutions were submitted in the first half of 2017. Forty-seven applications were accepted by the authorities while data showed that more than 50 per cent of the applications received were to establish the institutions in the Capital Governorate.

This was revealed by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) CEO Dr. Mariam Al Jalahma, who confirmed that the authority received 161 applications from January to June this year.

Dr. Al Jalahma also said NHRA conducted 389 inspection visits to healthcare institutions across the kingdom in the same period. The visits also included opticians and dentists.

As a result of the visits, over 200 violations were detected. The official confirmed that 153 violations related to epidemic prevention, 76 drugs storage violations and 58 medical waste disposal violations were detected, in addition to 60 patients’ safety violations and 86 sanitation violations.

“The authority’s inspectors ensure in their surprise visits that the staff members are licensed. Unlicensed employees, including doctors, nurses and assistants, were also detected in some establishments,” Dr. Al Jalahma stated.