A one-stop-clinic for cancer diagnosis was inaugurated yesterday, making it the first-of-its-kind facility in Bahrain’s private healthcare sector.
Al Kindi Hospital’s pioneering Cancer Diagnostic and Surgical Unit was launched by Supreme Council for Health chairman Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa at an official function at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Bahrain.
The 30-bed in-patient facility features four operating theatres, specialised clinics and latest radiology services.
It is equipped with the latest MRI, CT, ultrasound, and digital mammogram with guided biopsy and other diagnostic tools that enables the early detection of cancer.
The unit will primarily deal with cancer of the breast, rectum, colon, small intestine, stomach and thyroid gland.
However, chemotherapy and radiology treatments are not offered as these are restricted to the Bahrain Oncology Centre at the King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH), Busaiteen.
Lt Gen Dr Shaikh Mohammed welcomed the new facility, saying that with the National Health Insurance underway it will help people from the financial aspect as well.
“With the insurance coverage offering the patient a choice of private or government treatment, I think this competition will benefit the system.”
National Health Regulatory Authority chief executive Dr Mariam Al Jalahma said: “It’s very promising to see the private sector starting to provide very highly specialised services to patients either from Bahrain or outside.”
Al Kindi hospital chief executive Dr Ebstisam Al Dallal said the unit will provide exceptional services, adhering to international standards, with a medical team of qualified Bahrainis consisting of consultants and distinguished technicians.
“Al Kindi Hospital is proudly adopting a strategy that aims to direct investments to this vital and evolving sector in order to achieve the all-inclusive care of health services provided in Bahrain,” she added.
“The hospital also adopts different types of strategies and plans that work towards developing the competitiveness of the medical sector with a goal of supporting the medical tourism programme in line with goals set out for this sector.
“Today, Al Kindi Hospital celebrates one of these ambitions after 14 years by launching a diagnostic and surgical oncology unit as the first of its kind in the kingdom.”
She added that the hospital has invested in technological and advanced radiology equipment which are also the first of its kind in the private health sector.
“The diagnosis will be made under one roof, and include interventional radiology to take biopsies. The medical tests include the 3D mammogram with a base for performing these surgical interventions in addition to the ultrasound of the breast which is carried out with very accurate results.
“At the centre, we offer everything from the diagnosis to surgery for cancer. Of course, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are done only at KHUH as it is very expensive and usually patients cannot really afford it.”
Dr Al Dallal, who is also a Shura Council member, said a proper diagnosis was a fundamental step for appropriate and effective treatment because every type of cancer required a specific treatment regimen.
“The basics of delivering cancer care involve empowering and engaging communities, improving health literacy, enhancing diagnostic capacity including pathology and referral mechanisms.
“Our expert and specialised team will manage the full diagnostic journey for each patient starting with the initial consultation through the diagnosis till the surgery phase if needed.”
The unit also has a one-day clinic from consultation to biopsy and diagnosis and offers expertise to evaluate patients. It provides access to state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment that ensures timely and precise cancer diagnosis right from the start.
“We will call it a one-stop-clinic for cancer, offering services from diagnosis to surgery, all in one day.
“The patient will not have to wait for a week for the results, which is usually traumatic.”
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