Bahrain University’s Sakhir campus could become a key healthcare and academic hub, if MPs have their way.
A proposal calls for the construction of a government hospital on the campus and the relocation of the College of Health and Sport Sciences to the facility.
The plan, submitted by five MPs and led by Strategic Thinking Bloc member and area representative Ali Al Dossary, aims to enhance healthcare access for southern residents and address long-standing logistical challenges faced by students.
Currently, the College of Health and Sport Sciences operates under the University but is located at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), requiring students to commute frequently between Salmaniya and Sakhir for lectures, training and practical placements.
“Students have to travel between two distant locations to complete their studies and training,” said Mr Al Dossary. “This is inefficient, exhausting and does not reflect the integrated learning environment that we should be providing.”
He noted that the Sakhir campus has vast areas of underutilised land that could easily accommodate a modern government hospital alongside academic facilities.
“There are large, unexploited spaces within the campus that could serve a dual purpose,” Mr Al Dossary explained. “A hospital there would not only support the college academically but also serve residents in the surrounding areas.”
According to the proposal, relocating the College of Health and Sport Sciences to Sakhir would enable students to receive theoretical education and clinical training within one integrated setting, significantly improving the quality of medical and sports science education.
“This is a two-in-one benefit,” Mr Al Dossary said. “Students would have easier access to training facilities, while residents would gain a much-needed government hospital in the south.”
He further explained that the University’s Sakhir campus already offers accommodation for foreign lecturers as well as commercial outlets and services, making it well-suited to support additional facilities such as a hospital and specialised colleges.
The proposal has also won the backing of Southern Municipal Council member and area councillor Hamad Al Zoubi, who said the project would be a strategic addition to the region’s infrastructure.
“The south needs more public healthcare services, and this location is ideal,” Mr Al Zoubi said.
“Placing a government hospital within the university campus would ease pressure on Salmaniya Medical Complex and improve accessibility for nearby communities.”
He added that integrating education and healthcare would enhance service quality while supporting national goals in human capital development.
“This will strengthen medical education, support research and provide direct benefits to the community,” Mr Al Zoubi said. “It is a practical and forward-looking proposal.”
The MPs, in their written explanatory memorandum, believe the project aligns with wider national development strategies, including improving public services in the Southern Governorate and optimising the use of existing government land.
Parliament’s services committee is now set to review the proposal with the Ministries of Education and Health, for technical and financial evaluation.
The MPs argue that developing a hospital and health sciences complex at Sakhir would represent a long-term investment in Bahrain’s healthcare system, while reinforcing the University’s role as a centre of excellence for education, training and community service.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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