Bahrain Health Minister confirms extreme vetting for foreign doctors

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Foreign job seekers eyeing positions within Bahrain’s healthcare sector will face a stringent vetting process, including passing a licensure exam that several applicants failed to pass recently, revealed Health Minister Dr. Jalila bint Sayed Jawad Hassan.

She stressed that it is mandatory for foreign medical practitioners to successfully pass the vetting measures to find a position in the healthcare sector here. The minister made these remarks in response to a parliamentary inquiry from MP Mohammed Al Ahmed regarding foreign healthcare workers in Bahrain.

She affirmed the existence of measures to ensure the delivery of advanced medical services to both citizens and residents. As she outlined key steps in the vetting process, the minister emphasised, “There are several procedures in place to ensure the qualifications and competence of foreign medical professionals.”

Firstly, applicants must secure a job offer from a licenced healthcare institution, demonstrating their suitability for the role. “This guarantees that the applicant possesses the requisite skills and experience pertinent to the designated position. Additionally, non-consultant physicians must pass a licencing exam.

This examination evaluates the applicant’s clinical knowledge and skills, ensuring they meet the necessary standards for independent practice. Furthermore, a specialised committee evaluates applicants’ credentials.

The committee of medical experts meticulously assesses the applicant’s educational credentials, training background, and professional licences to ensure they are authentic and compliant with Bahrain’s standards. The Ministry also verifies applicants’ training and experience to guarantee they meet relevant criteria.

Lastly, qualifications are classified according to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) standards (first, second, or third) and expert committee evaluations to ascertain their level of proficiency. These comprehensive measures aim to uphold the quality and integrity of Bahrain’s healthcare sector.