Bahrain’s medical system is in on a healthy trajectory, being ranked 54th globally according to a healthcare index released by one of the most reputable magazines in the world.
CEOWORLD magazine Health Care Index ranks 110 countries based on various factors that contribute to overall health including infrastructure, availability and preparedness.
It also takes into consideration environment, access to clean water, sanitation and government readiness to impose penalties on health risks such as tobacco use and obesity.
According to the index, Bahrain has an overall score of 38.48, having achieved a score of 72.36 in the Medical Infrastructure and Professionals category, 55.97 in Medicine Availability and Cost, and 67.42 in Government Readiness.
This means Bahrain ranks ahead of countries such as Jordan, Türkiye and Poland in terms of overall rankings.
The UAE is the highest ranked GCC country, finishing 17th in the world with an overall score of 52.3, then comes Saudi Arabia who are ranked 37th, scoring 44.43.
Bahrain is third in the GCC, followed by Oman who finished 66th with an overall score of 35.85, Kuwait with a score of 34.78, and finally Qatar who scored 34.63.
In Asia, Bahrain is ranked 13th overall, finishing just behind Georgia, who scored 39.02 overall are ranked 51st internationally, and ahead of Jordan who scored 38.13 and are ranked 56th globally.
The top three countries in the index are Taiwan in first scoring 78.72 overall, South Korea in second with a score of 77.7 and Australia in third with a score of 74.11.
At the other end of the table, El Salvador ranked last at 110th with the lowest score of only 18.6. Just ahead of them are Honduras in 109th scoring 19.6 and Nepal in 108th with 21.4 overall.
KIMSHEALTH Group executive director Jacob Thomas praised the strides Bahrain has made over the years. “The kingdom’s healthcare system has advanced significantly over the past decade or so,” he told the GDN.
“The country boasts modern facilities and top preparedness from the government, which was especially evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the Bahrain government managed incredibly well during what was an unprecedented period.
“Over the past decade, there has been investment in infrastructure, training and technology that have improved healthcare services and outcomes in a major way.”
Despite the improvements, Mr Thomas believes Bahrain can achieve greater success too. “Some challenges still remain,” he said. “There has been a rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, for example, leading to an increased demand for healthcare services.
“Continued investment in technology and infrastructure is therefore crucial, along with awareness programmes to educate people about non-communicable diseases.
“On top of that, compulsory healthcare insurance will enable the growth of the private sector as it will support specialised services. Enhancing primary care, refining financing mechanisms including health insurance, and strengthening governance will be key.
“Finally, it is crucial to invest in workforce development, especially on a Bahraini workforce, in order to build a robust healthcare system.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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