Private health establishments in Bahrain could be fined BD100 per day for failing to renew their registration, if Shura Council members have their way.
Under amendments to the 2015 Private Medical Establishments Law, the fine would continue for 90 days before the licence is scrapped.
However, the health authority concerned will have to start notifying establishments three months prior about their renewal date.
At the moment, the fine is double the original fee in law, whether it is a day’s tardiness or a month.
As a precondition to establishing a health facility, the applicant or any of the partners shouldn’t have been convicted of a crime/felony involving a breach/violation of honour/public trust unless their reputation is restored or pardon received.
Those allowed to have health establishments could be individuals, a company, an organisation, a commission, a branch of a foreign medical entity or a Bahraini licensed society specialised in medical or health services.
Only licensed Bahraini doctors and dentists would be allowed to establish private clinics, health centres, medical complexes and alternative medicine facilities.
Inheritors of a medical establishment can continue operations, but will have to give the management responsibilities to a certified Bahraini doctor.
The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) will have the power to conduct an administrative investigation automatically, following orders from the Health Minister, the Supreme Council for Health (SCH) chairman, or the head of a to-be-formed accountability unit, or whenever serious complaints or grievances are received.
The proposal, presented by five members led by services committee chairwoman Dr Ibtisam Al Dallal, is scheduled for Sunday’s weekly session.
Dr Al Dallal
If approved, it will be referred to the services committee for review.
“The current fine is unfair as it treats tardiness of a day or 30 on the same line,” she said.
“The fine should be gradual with a three-month prior notice being sent to the establishment.
“A BD100 fine will be charged daily until the payment is made in 90 days or else the licence is terminated.”
Dr Al Dallal said the blurred lines of authority between the NHRA and the SCH needed to be clarified.
“A Who’s Who is essential to the monitoring, accountability and credibility process,” she said.
According to the NHRA website, there are 887 licensed private medical facilities in Bahrain compared to 43 government facilities.
l A new law regulating advertisements on social media will be debated during the session after being postponed last Sunday due to time constraints.
Under the 12-article law, proposed by five members led by Talal Al Mannai, anyone found violating social media advertising rules and regulations will be fined up to BD1,000 per offence.
Any licensed social media profile, page or blog found offending religions or faiths, breaching intellectual property, promoting unlicensed or illegal products or exploiting children could face warnings, suspension of licence for up to six months, termination of licence or fines of up to BD500.
The Information Affairs Minister will be authorised to exempt those engaged in non-profit, charity or voluntary advertising activities from paying licence fees.
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