Bahrain is fast-tracking measures to further upgrade its advanced health sector to cater to the country’s burgeoning population that is set to reach 1,882,000 in 2027, it has been revealed.
Supreme Council of Health (SCH) chairman Dr Shaikh Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa told MPs that the new population projection has been provided by the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), and the ministry and all affiliate health bodies were now working to boost services for citizens and residents.
Shaikh Mohammed stressed that the health sector was well-equipped to deal with the needs of the current population of 1,504,365 as per the census in 2022.
“There are 1,680 beds in government hospitals while nine health centres are working round-the-clock,” he said in a written response to MPs following a 5,000-page probe report into medical services presented by a special parliamentary committee headed by MP Dr Mahdi Al Shuwaikh.
“Government hospitals have 4,426 healthcare workers – 745 doctors, 3,132 nurses and 549 support medical professionals. There are 1,814 professionals in 27 health centres as well.”
He stressed that 978 Bahrainis found jobs in the sector between 2020 and 2023.
“There are 2,035 non-Bahrainis in government hospitals, out of which 1,812 are nurses. There are 185 expatriate health workers at various health centres.”
Shaikh Mohammed said the country has witnessed significant strides following a 10-year national health strategy (2016-2025) put in place almost a decade ago.
“We are working to provide comprehensive, high-quality and sustainable health services and this is a continuous task enhanced through assessment and evaluation,” he added.
“There are strategic goals such as improved medical reach, facilities, services and treatment in line with current population and we are working on new blueprints for the future.
“Major upgrades, facelifts and advancements have been planned to cope with the number of patients and demand for services.
“We are looking to set up new medical specialisations and are sending Bahrainis abroad for education and training, while we also seek an increase in general medical manpower.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed stressed the efficiency of medics and healthcare workers who have been playing a vital role in saving lives.
“The waiting periods for patients seeking to meet doctors is between 25 and 55 minutes, and necessary medicines are provided without delay,” she said.
“The consultation time for each visitor has increased from eight to 10 minutes, while it is 15 minutes for newcomers.
“Waiting period for general surgeries is between three to six months while emergency operations are typically handled immediately within 24 hours.
“We have carried out 17,502 operations last year – a 146pc increase from the previous year, while also completing 2,446 pending surgeries from 2022.
“As for external clinics, the wait is between a day and 20 months.”
The minister said Bahrain was offering facilities and care in line with international standards.
“We have 4,723 doctors licensed with three doctors per 1,000 people, which is within the international range,” she said.
She added that there were 22,504 medical equipment in all government hospitals, out of which 89 were under maintenance. “We have alternative devices for each equipment and the services never cease,” she said.
“The existing equipments are either updated or reprogrammed periodically while we are seeking to buy advanced ones to meet the demand for services in future.
“X-rays take from one to four weeks while there is no wait for lab tests.”
Dr Al Sayyed said there were 7,000 sickle cell anaemia patients in Bahrain while mortality rate among children aged below five was seven in 1,000.
National Health Regulatory Authority chief executive Dr Ahmed Al Ansari and the Health Minister also presented statistics on medical errors and accidents, besides licensed healthcare workers.
Seven medical errors were confirmed following investigations last year while two deaths were attributed to negligence.
Dr Al Sayyed said 80 complaints were received by the NHRA in 2023. This compares with 38 complaints in 2022, with no medical errors proven during the year. No deaths were also attributed to medical errors in 2022.
The minister, who is also NHRA chairman, said 13 ‘serious accidents’ were reported in government medical facilities – four in health centres and nine in SMC last year. This compares with six cases in health centres, nine in SMC and one in the Psychiatric Hospital in 2022. However, no explanation was provided on what the serious accidents were.
“The mortality rate among long-stay patients in government hospitals dropped from 1,285 deaths in 2022 to 1,012 in 2023,” the minister pointed out, adding that “all deaths were the result of medical conditions, and not fault, negligence or error,” she added.
“We are committed to provide the best health services – whether through medics, equipment or medicines. Plans, protocols and procedures are evaluated regularly for improvements as people’s health and lives are entrusted upon us.”
Probe committee head Dr Mahdi Al Shuwaikh pointed out that the 110.53pc increase in complaints last year compared to the previous year was indeed ‘alarming’.
“When 2022 was a remarkable year with zero medical errors and deaths, 2023 statistics are a setback,” he said.
He acknowledged there were improvements, but added that numbers continued to be high.
“As in the case of adverse events/incidents, 952 were reported in 2022, which is a drop from the 1,387 reported in 2021,” said Dr Al Shuwaikh.
“But 13 serious accidents were reported last year, while that table should always show zero,” he added.
Meanwhile, Government Hospitals chief executive Dr Mariam Al Jalahma said plans were underway to offer more jobs for Bahrainis.
“We need 200 to 250 nurses, 50 specialised doctors, 30 vocational personnel and 20 administrators every year,” she said.
The probe committee’s report is scheduled for debate during Parliament’s session on Tuesday.
The findings will be discussed during Tuesday’s weekly Parliament session.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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