NHRA grants licences to private hospitals for COVID-19 care

TDT | Manama

Private hospitals are now being granted licences to provide medical care for active cases of COVID-19 for those who are asymptomatic and would like to be treated there.

This was announced last night by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), and it comes in line with the directives of the Government’s Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

The licence regulates the provision of private quarantine services for those arriving from abroad or for those who have been in contact with active cases and have not yet tested positive, based on individuals’ preference and at their own expense.

The NHRA granted the Middle East Hospital (MEH) a licence to practice private medical services for active cases of COVID-19 who are asymptomatic at the Park Regis Hotel in Juffair, increasing treatment capacity by 172 beds.

Patients who are admitted will be supervised by a specialised medical team from MEH. NHRA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mariam Adhbi Al Jalahma further highlighted that individuals arriving from coronavirus-affected countries, or those who have interacted with active COVID-19 cases and wish to be quarantined in a private facility, will be able to do so at Novotel Hotel, Muharraq.

There, they will be monitored by a specialised medical team from Bahrain Specialist Hospital, increasing quarantine capacity by 160 beds. Dr Al Jalahma went on to add that a specialised medical team from the MEH will temporarily convert the Best Western Hotel and Taj Plaza Hotel into private quarantine centres to provide another 260 private quarantine beds.

The NHRA chief noted that free COVID-19 care at centres run by the Ministry of Health remains available for all.