FIFTY-SEVEN requests for emergency medical evacuation flights and air ambulances were reported last year and none of them were rejected, a top official has said.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed said the Foreign Ministry and the Health Ministry jointly reviewed appeals for help from citizens who suffered from medical emergencies or accidents while staying in, or travelling to, a foreign country.
“A specialised committee reviews the cases to determine if the patient should receive immediate care overseas or be repatriated to Bahrain for further treatment,” she said.
The minister was responding in writing to a question by MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi on air medical services provided by the Health Ministry last year.
“Air medical services, such as air ambulance flights, are provided according to the patient’s health condition and after the approval of the committee responsible for studying cases of accidents, injuries and emergencies abroad,” said Dr Al Sayyed.
“The committee decides whether to accept or reject the appeals. Once approved, the treatment will be fully covered at the ministry’s expense or the patient will be treated temporarily abroad until they are stable enough to fly to Bahrain for further medical care.
“Otherwise necessary measures will be taken to ensure the immediate return of the patient, the injured or the dead to Bahrain.”
Dr Al Sayyed revealed that 57 requests were received by the concerned committee in 2022 and that none of them were struck down.
Meanwhile, Dr Al Sayyed also confirmed that no food products or dietary supplements available in Bahrain contain insects as it is prohibited to import or sell them in the local market.
“Bahrain implements health monitoring standards to inspect food items and dietary supplements – imported and locally produced – to ensure they are safe for human consumption and are in line with technical specifications,” she said.
MPs are also set to review the implementation of the National Health Insurance Programme.
Meanwhile, Industry and Commerce Minister Abdullah Fakhro will appear at the next session on Tuesday to reveal details of plots allocated to the ministry in Salman Town.
Legislators are also set to vote on a request for a general debate on the Housing and Urban Development Ministry’s strategies and plans to tackle housing requests.
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