A RISK management plan being implemented in government hospitals will reduce medical errors and boost the quality of services, a top official has said.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed added that the four-year plan ending next year would significantly elevate the standards of public hospitals across the country.
She also asserted that Bahrainis remain the first choice to handle services with expatriates only being hired when local talents are unavailable. “There are 2,043 expatriates in public hospitals and health centres out of which 1,818 are nurses,” she added.
According to the minister, the four-year plan aims to provide high-quality services through effective risk management, prevention of medical errors during treatment and use of medicines, and by boosting the professionalism of medical and nursing teams.
“The Government Hospital’s quality and risk management committee regularly assesses and follows-up individual cases to ensure all procedures and protocols are carried out during treatment and suitable medications are given,” she said, in a written response to a question by MP Abdulla Al Romaihi.
“The National Health Regulatory Authority and other international regulators also act as external assessors and several facilities have been awarded the highest distinction.”
Dr Al Sayyed added that medics were being constantly evaluated and monitored by the disease spread prevention and hospital environment safety committees, besides the risk management panel to ensure patient welfare.
She also asserted that the current plan sees more emphasis on Bahraini medics and lesser dependence on expat consultants.
“Several Bahrainis are being given specialised training as well as assistance to obtain professional certificates that would enable them to take up consultancy jobs,” the minister said.
“The same is to be said about nurses, but unfortunately we are in need of more than what is being made available, and hence we hire from abroad.
“Of the 2,043 expat workforce in the public healthcare sector, 1,818 are nurses. All contracts of expatriates are annual and renewed depending on performance assessment and need.”
According to the minister, 34 Bahraini young medics were enrolled for training in 2021 and 2022 under the umbrella of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
“We have sent 60 medics abroad for training over the past two years; 49 more are still doing courses in foreign universities, and 42 have been receiving extensive training since 2020.”
Meanwhile, Dr Al Sayyed said, in another response to a question by MP Ali Al Dossary, that the Supreme Council of Health draws up strategic blueprints for new medical facilities, programmes and operations.
“Through continuous assessment, plans are updated to match the need and population,” said the minister.
Dr Juma
Also in another written response to MP Lulwa Al Romaihi on plans for schools in her area, Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma replied that a new comprehensive school for boys was planned for the new Khalifa Town. The project is set to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2027.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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