The North Muharraq Health Centre currently operates on a 12-hour system, ensuring residents continue to receive essential health services while urgent care needs are met through nearby 24-hour centres, it has been revealed.
The Health Ministry detailed the operational changes, staffing levels, and service coverage at the centre since the shift to part-time work in July 2022.
The centre now runs two shifts, from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Thursday, offering a full range of primary healthcare services, including general medicine, maternal and child care, oral and dental health, early detection screenings, chronic disease management, and specialised clinics. Laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy services are also available.
The facility has 16 medical staff, eight dental professionals, 20 nurses, 14 support staff, and seven administrative personnel.
Residents needing care outside working hours are directed to 24-hour centres, including Halat Bu Maher Health Centre and Bahrain Kuwait Bank Health Centre in Hidd.
Since the 12-hour shift system was implemented, data shows that Halat Bu Maher Health Centre handled 68,646 urgent cases referred from North Muharraq Health Centre, representing nearly 20 per cent of its total urgent care visits. Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) Health Centre in Hidd received around 3,001 referrals from the centre, or 0.85pc of its urgent care visits.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed emphasised that emergency cases requiring secondary medical care continue to be transferred according to established procedures. From July 2022 to the end of 2025, 8,622 patients were referred to government hospitals for urgent or critical treatment.
The information was highlighted in response to a question submitted by Parliament’s services committee vice-chairman MP Abdulwahid Qarata.
“The primary healthcare system in Muharraq Governorate is designed to maximise the use of available resources while maintaining the highest quality of care,” Dr Al Sayyed said.
“Our six health centres work in an integrated network to ensure continuous access to medical services for all residents in the governorate.
“Taking into account population growth and the urban expansion in Muharraq, we are building the new Qalali Health Centre. This will significantly increase capacity and ease pressure on existing facilities, ensuring that urgent and primary care services remain accessible and of the highest quality.”
The minister highlighted that 24-hour primary healthcare centres operate efficiently and are strategically distributed to cover urgent care needs, with sufficient space and staff to handle peak demand.
Regular reviews of operational criteria ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining patient access and care quality.
“We remain fully committed to co-operating with Parliament to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality health services for all residents of Muharraq Governorate,” the minister added.
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