An Introduction to Bahrain’s Healthcare Sector

The Kingdom of Bahrain is known for having one of the oldest health care sectors in the Gulf. The kingdom is home to the first modern hospital in the region founded by missionaries in 1902. Over the course of the 20th century, Bahrain developed a comprehensive health care system – with it being one of the priorities of the government development programs.

Sector Structure

The Ministry of Health (MoH) runs a broad system of hospitals, clinics and specialized centers that are free of charge for citizens and are open to expatriates/residents for a nominal charge.

Meanwhile, the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) is a separate body that is responsible for implementing and developing health regulations in both governmental and private sectors in Bahrain. This involves regulatory procedures related to licensing health care facilities including hospitals, medical centers, private clinics, pharmaceutical centers as well as licensing health care professionals within these facilities.

The Supreme Council of Health is in charge of strategic planning. The council creates the appropriate ground and builds the necessary strategies to develop the health and medical sector in Bahrain.

Hospitals

Bahrain is home to a large number of hospitals – both public and private – with a growing number of specialists, expertise and reputable providers within the healthcare sector.

Public Hospitals:

  • Salmaniya Medical Complex

The Salmaniya Medical Complex is a multi-specialty healthcare facility that provides healthcare to all citizens and residents of Bahrain, inaugurated in several phases since 1959 until it was officially operated as a medical complex in 1978, and included numerous specialized departments such as secondary healthcare, in addition to its Accident and Emergency Department running urgent medical care to the sick and injured.

  • Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services

The Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services – Military Hospital, inaugurated in 1968, is one of the most important integrated medical buildings in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The hospital received a healthcare accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) in 2007. It has also succeeded in achieving far-reaching excellence in all of its departments.

  • King Hamad University Hospital

The King Hamad University Hospital, inaugurated in February 2012, is a qualitative leap forward for health services in the country. It provides distinctive health services locally and internationally; comprising secondary healthcare, a severe accident center and a transplant center. The hospital also includes all educational facilities to serve the Medical University of Bahrain.

Health Centers

The Kingdom provides its primary health services through 25 health centers and three health clinics spread across five health regions in all governorates of the kingdom. All citizens and residents are registered for treatment in the health center of their residential area and can be referred to secondary care facilities when indicated.

Free treatment is provided for all Bahrainis, while expatriates are required to pay BD7 per visit. Citizens and residents can book their medical appointments online for the general clinics at the health centers.

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