A COMPREHENSIVE plan is required to reduce traffic congestion around Bahrain’s biggest public hospital, according to a legislator.
Area MP Ahmed Al Salloom said that while a new multi-storey car park was being built at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), it was not enough as around 10,000 people on average – including patients, visitors, employees and students of Arabian Gulf University (AGU) – visit the site every day.
He said he has been bombarded with complaints from residents and visitors to the hospital regarding overcrowding, improper parking practices and lack of spaces.
The government’s real estate arm, Edamah, is currently constructing a five-storey car park building that will accommodate around 645 vehicles at once on a space of 27,086 sqm within the complex.
“When there are 10,000 people coming to the complex and with around only 2,000 car parks available then there is a clear problem,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“The five-storey car park building will resolve the problem partially, but other parking spaces within the complex have to be turned into multi-storey car parks as well.
“Students from the college, besides medics, doctors, support staff and administrators already occupy most of the car parks and only a few are available for the public.
“Most of the daily users from the above-mentioned, park in the middle of the road or on the pavement for up to 12 hours, causing difficulty and traffic congestion within the area.”
Mr Al Salloom also called for a plan to decentralise more services from SMC to public health care centres or private hospitals across the country and under the upcoming National Health Insurance Scheme (Sehati), which allows Bahrainis to seek certain medical services for free at government-owned facilities.
He said the hospital should be reserved for treating complex and emergency medical cases while primary and secondary care can be transferred to private hospitals and clinics.
“I understand that the most advanced equipment and treatment, besides high calibre consultants, will continue being an exclusive at SMC, but there are many services that could be shifted to health centres or the private sector,” he said.
“SMC is a mess and as Bahrain’s biggest public hospital it needs a comprehensive plan to tackle congestion and overcrowding – I mean it is the main reason that many people don’t want to receive treatment or go there even if they are really sick.”
The GDN reported in April that emergency services at SMC are under immense pressure with 68 per cent of daily cases categorised as not urgent.
This was revealed by Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh, who told MPs that only 32pc of up to 900 cases received daily at the accident and emergency department were actual emergencies.
With the introduction of Sehati, slated for next year, Bahrainis will be able to undergo free services at public facilities, while those choosing private sector hospitals or clinics will have to pay no more than 40 per cent of the cost, with the government picking up the balance.
Expatriates will, however, have to contribute to their medical costs in 16 of 19 set categories – excluding primary and limited secondary healthcare and emergencies – since they will enjoy only partial health coverage, paid for by their employers.
The GDN has approached the Health Ministry for a comment.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))