Manama by Jayson De Leon (CC BY 2.0)
Four new health-related projects are to be completed over the next two years as part of the government’s Economic Vision 2030 plan, reports the Gulf Daily News. Over the next decade health care in Bahrain is set to be upgraded with several new initiatives aimed at improving and expanding current services.
The Health Ministry is targeting Bahrain’s growing diabetes rate with specialised clinics to be opened in all health centres across the country. In addition, dedicated sickle cell anaemia services will also be added to health centres.
“Work began in May on a physiotherapy clinic at the Hamad Kanoo Health Centre in Riffa, which is expected to be complete by July 2015,” said Dr Maryam Al Jalahma, the Health Ministry’s public healthcare assistant under-secretary in a statement.
“The expansion of the nursing department at the same centre is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2015, whereas the expansion of Sitra Maternity Hospital is due to be completed by the end of next year.
A new BD6 million (€11.9 million) health centre will include state of the art pharmacy, emergency centre, radiology, treatment, and operating rooms. There will also be a dental clinic, and specialised services for school health, family services, and marital guidance.
“The Yousuf Abdulrahman Engineer Health Centre in Isa Town is (also) expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2015 and will serve about 35,000 people from 26 neighbourhoods, providing therapeutic, preventive and physiotherapeutic services.”
These new projects mark a turning point in Bahrain’s health system which typically focuses on treatment rather than prevention.
“The objectives of the ministry are to maintain the health of the population through health promotion and prevention,” Dr Al Jalahma said. Life-long high-quality healthcare for all people in Bahrain of all age groups is the prime focus of the ministry and the government.”
There are currently 27 public health centres in bahrain, 18 private hospitals, and many more pharmacies, dentists, opticians, and clinics all serving Bahrain’s 1.3 million residents.
The high incidence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity, coupled with population growth and an ageing population, continue to put a strain on the health system.
“Population growth is a major driver for the expansion of healthcare provision and poses one of the biggest challenges for the Health Ministry,” Dr Al Jalahma said.