Revolutionizing Healthcare in Bahrain

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Shura Council’s Services Committee yesterday discussed a proposal to amend certain provisions of Decree Law No. (21) of 2015 concerning private health institutions. Chaired by Her Excellency Dr. Ibtisam Al-Dalal, the meeting was attended by representatives from the Supreme Council of Health, the Ministry of Health, and the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). The proposed legislation aims to safeguard the rights of Bahraini doctors to establish private clinics, medical centres, medical complexes, alternative medicine centres, or other healthcare facilities. It also permits them to practice various supporting medical professions in conjunction with other fields. Previously, the establishment of specialized medical institutions was restricted to Bahraini doctors licensed to practice medicine or dentistry within the Kingdom of Bahrain, with exceptions made for rare medical specialties. In contrast, licenses to establish hospitals are granted to individuals, companies, or foreign medical institutions.

Rehabilitation

According to the proposed law, individuals seeking to establish a private health institution, along with their partners, must not have a prior conviction for a felony or a crime against honour unless they have undergone rehabilitation or received a pardon from the relevant authorities. Additionally, the proposal allows the heirs of the licencee to continue operating the institution, provided it is managed by a Bahraini general physician or consultant in accordance with the facility’s license. These designated professionals would assume responsibility for all technical and administrative aspects of the institution. Furthermore, heirs are permitted to retain the institution’s name if it bears the name of the deceased founder. The committee also considered perspectives and feedback from relevant authorities regarding cooperation with programmes developed by the executive authority in the health sector.

Authority

Notably, the proposed law grants authority to the National Authority for Regulating Health Professions and Services to implement a national accreditation programme for health institutions. Additionally, the committee discussed the concept of fines outlined in the proposed law. Dr. Al-Dalal expressed her appreciation for the ongoing collaboration and coordination between legislative and executive bodies regarding the matter at hand. She emphasized the prompt responses received from the Supreme Council of Health, the Ministry of Health, and the NHRA, hailing their invaluable contributions in shaping flexible and effective legislation that will be set in motion upon implementation.