BAHRAIN is planning to set up a national strategic storage facility as the shortage and unavailability of medicines continues to plague nations post the Covid-19 pandemic, said Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed.
However, she added, the ministry ensures that all basic medications are available in the kingdom.
She was replying to a question by Shura Council member Dr Bassam Albinmohammed on the issue.
“For basic medications we have alternative suppliers and are working with the National Committee for Medicines and Medical Equipment Purchases to ensure there are no shortages,” said Dr Al Sayyed.
“We have a database of medicines that tracks demand and supply, and a team follows up with suppliers daily,” she added.
The minister said the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) monitors the prices of all medicines.
l Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma said 1,205 students with varying disabilities were currently studying at government schools.
“We provide special education to students suffering from mental or physical disabilities to ensure they are able to enter school, join their peers and graduate,” he said, in response to a question by Shura second vice-chairwoman Dr Jihad Al Fadhel.
“However, those with disciplinary issues need to get enrolled at the Psychiatric Hospital’s children and adolescents unit, with 64 students currently enrolled there,” added the minister.
“Students who are incapable of learning are referred to the Social Development Ministry to be enrolled in rehabilitation centres.”
l Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda said, in a written response to a question by member Dr Fouad Al Haji on private registrars, that only 80 have been authorised.
“There were 176,980 cases that have been dealt with by private registrars since 2017 and until the end of last year.”
l Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi said, in response to a question by Leena Qassim on new housing services, that the ministry was receiving between 3,000 and 4,000 requests annually from citizens for homes and housing schemes.
“Any housing project takes between three to six years to complete and for that we have introduced new schemes in partnership with the private sector,” said the minister.
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