A 10-YEAR strategic plan for the country’s main hospital includes seven new specialty clinics and massive revamps to existing facilities.
Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh told the Shura Council in writing that the expansion work at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) has been divided into short-term and long-term targets that would be achieved according to set time frames.
However, no additional storeys would be added to the existing buildings, she added.
“We are working to expand SMC and increase capacity to provide the best medical services,” said Ms Al Saleh.
“For that a 10-year strategic plan has been introduced.
“In the short-run, we will renew and expand existing facilities with special focus on the accident and emergency department, where work is undergoing since April this year, and outdoor clinics by remodelling the former NBB building.
“Under the same short-term strategy, we will have four new operation theatres covering all specialisations besides renewing the cardiac catheterisation unit that we expect to reopen soon.
“In the long-run, the new clinics will be dedicated to paediatrics, geriatric, diabetes, ophthalmology, sickle cell disease, neurology and ENT.”
The minister said an ambitious plan to reduce waiting periods has been also introduced.
“We have hired experts in sought-after specialisations rather than transfer patients to other hospitals for treatment, or subject to long waiting periods.”
Ms Al Saleh was replying to a question by Shura Council human rights committee chairman Ahmed Al Haddad.
The response will be reviewed during the chamber’s weekly session on Sunday.
In June this year, Government Hospitals’ chief executive Dr Ahmed Al Ansari had said that the setting up of the new clinics under the autonomisation drive of the government hospitals was part of the National Health Insurance Scheme (Sehati) which will allow SMC doctors to open their clinics at the facility, but limiting them from setting up private clinics outside the hospital.
Since 2018, the GDN has been reporting on plans to make SMC autonomous, giving it operational freedom in terms of administration and finance, free of governance by the Health Ministry.
The autonomisaton strategy aims to transform government hospitals into self-service providers.
At the time Dr Al Ansari said there were 4,888 members of staff – 628 doctors, 2,399 nurses, 601 ancillaries and 1,260 paramedics.
Last Sunday, Supreme Council for Health president Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa visited SMC to inspect the progress of work on the development projects.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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