The Shura Council is poised to vote on tougher penalties for illegal healthcare practices, following government data showing repeated violations across the sector since 2023.
Draft laws amending Article 29 of the 1989 medical practice law and Article 23 of the 1987 allied health professions law are scheduled for debate and vote during the final sitting of the Upper House tomorrow.
Official data submitted by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) revealed a pattern of repeated breaches between 2023 and 2026, including practising medicine or paramedical professions without a licence, operating illegal clinics, falsifying credentials, or using misleading advertisements to imply professional qualifications.
The NHRA reported violations annually under both legal frameworks, alongside a licensing base of 24 private hospitals, 110 dental centres and 244 medical centres. The allied health sector includes 367 licensed centres.
Authorities say the violations underscore the need for stronger deterrence and unified penalties across the health system.
Among allied medical establishments, 27 violations were recorded in 2023, 26 in 2024, 10 in 2025 and six until date.
As for general medical centres, two violations were recorded in 2023, five in 2024, nine in 2025, and four until now in 2026.
NHRA chief executive officer Dr Ahmed Al Ansari said the data reflects a persistent regulatory challenge.
“The number of violations recorded over successive years clearly indicates that existing penalties were not sufficiently deterrent in all cases,” he said. “These are serious offences that directly affect patient safety and public trust in the healthcare system.”
He added that the amendments would strengthen enforcement tools.
“The proposed law allows for faster administrative intervention, including suspension and closure of illegal facilities, while ensuring that criminal proceedings impose stronger consequences on offenders.”
Under the new framework, offenders face up to five years’ imprisonment and fines reaching BD5,000, or either penalty. The bill replaces earlier provisions that imposed lower penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and BD2,000 fines
Courts will also be empowered to order closure of illegal facilities and confiscation of equipment, while regulators can impose immediate suspension pending trial.
A key reform is the unification of penalties across both medical and paramedical professions, addressing inconsistencies in sentencing and enforcement.
Shura Council services committee chairwoman Dr Jameela Al Salman said the reforms were driven by both regulatory data and public safety concerns.
“The violations reported by the NHRA highlight the seriousness of illegal medical practice and the risks it poses to patients,” she said. “This legislation strengthens the legal framework while ensuring proportional and flexible sentencing based on each case.”
Meanwhile, a sweeping overhaul of government procurement rules is also set for debate and vote during the final sitting of the Shura Council tomorrow. The proposed amendments to the 2002 tenders and auctions law aim to fix long-standing procedural bottlenecks, reflect economic changes and introduce greater flexibility without compromising oversight or transparency.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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