Medical contingency plans are in place and ready for activation should hostile Iranian aggression continue to escalate, it has been revealed.
These measures include increasing bed capacity and setting up makeshift clinics at designated locations. Government Hospitals stated yesterday that they are fully prepared and equipped to manage potential emergencies. Special response protocols have already been established and will be further activated as the situation evolves.
“Enhanced readiness protocols have been activated as a precautionary measure,” Government Hospitals said in a statement to the GDN.
“This includes strengthened co-ordination between departments, daily situation reviews, and close collaboration with relevant national authorities.
“Government hospitals are fully operational and fully equipped to respond to any emerging developments.”
The GDN reported earlier this week that Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) is operating at full readiness with the activation of emergency protocols since Saturday. Medics, nurses and specialised staff remain on standby and are ready to be mobilised to any area across the country.
“Additional inpatient beds have been identified and can be activated immediately if required,” said the statement.
“Selected areas have been designated for conversion into temporary clinical units to accommodate any potential increase in cases in a structured and timely manner.”
The statement added that critical care capacity has been comprehensively reviewed ‘with contingency plans in place to ensure scalability and operational resilience’.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a car park at the BDF Hospital in Riffa was turned into a makeshift field intensive care unit (ICU) with a large bed capacity to treat patients, and field hospitals opened in other locations as part of the medical contingency plans that were praised at the time by World Health Organisaton (WHO) Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Meanwhile, additional measures have been taken to ensure necessary medical supplies during the ongoing regional situation.
“Adequate reserves of essential medications, emergency drugs and clinical consumables have been secured,” said the Government Hospitals.
“Clinical and administrative teams have been briefed on escalation protocols and operational procedures to ensure a co-ordinated response, where required.”
Government Hospitals said they have enhanced their operational readiness to ensure patient safety and the continuity of healthcare services amid the evolving situation.
“Precautionary measures have been implemented across all facilities to support and reinforce both emergency response capacity and routine care delivery,” it said.
“All emergency services continue without interruption. Urgent treatments remain a priority, while routine services are continuously monitored and adjusted as necessary to ensure safe patient flow and optimal resource utilisation.
“Government Hospitals reaffirms that healthcare services are stable, prepared and committed to delivering safe, high-quality care at all times, in line with the kingdom’s established standards of excellence in public service delivery.”
Bahrain has been targeted by hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran since Saturday, all of which were successfully intercepted by the BDF. The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Juffair, Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Diplomatic Area, and residential buildings in Muharraq and Riffa were targeted by Tehran.
Bangladeshi national Abul Mohsin Tareq was killed on Monday when debris from an intercepted missile fell in Salman Industrial City, sparking a fire on a foreign vessel that led to his death. The deceased was reportedly doing maintenance work on the Stena Imperative ship at the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry) when he was hit. Two other Bangladeshi workers were seriously injured in the incident.
Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammed Sarower visited the King Hamad University Hospital to follow up on the health condition of the two injured fellow nationals, and was accompanied by senior government officials.
There were injuries resulting from the residential building drone attack earlier this week, with some patients receiving treatment at SMC. All are reported to be in stable condition. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visited SMC on Tuesday to meet the injured patients. He highlighted the readiness of the kingdom’s healthcare workforce, stressing that the delivery of medical services is at operational capacity and is in line with the highest standards, thanks to the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad.
He stressed the advanced readiness of the Health Ministry, the effectiveness of its emergency response plans and the seamless co-ordination amongst its teams, which reflect the health sector’s ability to respond promptly and efficiently when needed.
HRH Prince Salman affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the health sector’s capabilities, ensuring the quality, sustainability and uninterrupted provision of medical services to citizens and residents.
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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