A proposal to transform a building at Bahrain’s historic Salmaniya Medical Complex into a modern, state-of-the-art museum and public facility has received support from senior legislators and municipal officials.
The initiative pertains specifically to the old Salmaniya Medical Hospital building which has remained largely unused from its original purpose.
Currently, this particular building is being utilised as an isolation ward and storage facility, and not as an active part of the modern medical operations of the Salmaniya Medical Complex.
It is important to clarify that the proposal does not target the entire Salmaniya Medical Complex, which continues to function as Bahrain’s main public hospital. Instead, the focus is on repurposing the disused older section of the complex.
The aim is to transform it into a modern medical museum, administrative offices for Government Hospitals, recreational café spaces and a revitalised garden area that already exists at the centre of the structure.
This distinction ensures that the current healthcare services and hospital operations at SMC remain unaffected, while allowing a historically significant structure within the complex to be revitalised for cultural and public benefit.
The proposal is aimed at breathing new life into the old Salmaniya Medical Hospital building which was built in 1958 and was once the most advanced medical facility in the Gulf.
“This building holds immense historical and emotional value to the Bahraini people,” said Strategic Thinking Bloc president, Parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman and area MP Ahmed Al Salloom, who is spearheading the proposal.
“It was the first government-run hospital in the Gulf region and laid the foundations for the modern healthcare system we know today,” he told the GDN.
“Transforming it into a medical museum not only honours that legacy but also gives the public access to a unique cultural and historical space.”
The proposal envisions a detailed museum that showcases original hospital departments, vintage medical equipment, early architectural features and the evolution of healthcare services in Bahrain.
Additional plans include restoring the existing central garden, setting up cafés and re-purposing parts of the building as administrative offices for Government Hospitals.
“People still remember the old wards, maternity units and emergency rooms,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“By preserving those spaces, we are preserving memories – and sending a message that our national development started with institutions like this.”
The Salmaniya Medical Hospital – inaugurated in 1958 under the patronage of the late ruler HH Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – was a pivotal project in Bahrain’s post-oil modernisation drive.
The government marked the complex’s 60th anniversary in 2018 under the patronage of the late Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
During the ceremony, it was hailed as ‘the cornerstone of Bahrain’s national healthcare’.
“The Salmaniya Medical Complex symbolises not just medical advancement, but social evolution,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“This proposal is in line with our vision to conserve Bahrain’s national heritage while providing practical utility and services.”
Mr Al Salloom acknowledged these advancements, but insisted that the legacy of the original buildings must not be lost.
“While the current medical centre continues to serve the nation, we cannot allow the historical site that started it all to fall into neglect. Our proposal ensures it remains a living part of the community.”
The proposal also aligns with Bahrain’s broader vision to integrate culture and sustainability into urban development.
MPs behind it stressed the importance of heritage-based revitalisation as a means of civic engagement and economic stimulation.
“This is part of a wider effort to create spaces that combine historical depth with modern relevance,” Mr Al Salloom noted.
“Imagine a child walking through the old surgery rooms once used by their grandparents’ generation; it connects them to the past in a tangible way.
“Ultimately, this is not just about a building, it’s about memory, medicine and the message we send out what we value as a society.”
Supporting the proposal is Capital Trustees Board vice-chairwoman Khulood Al Qattan, who also resides in the area.
She described the site as ‘a pillar of community memory’ and welcomed the initiative as both a preservation effort and a future family destination.
“This is more than a building, it’s where generations of Bahrainis were born, treated and trained. It should be celebrated, not abandoned,” said Ms Al Qattan.
“Turning the complex into a cultural and social landmark will also invigorate the neighbourhood, support local cafés and services and preserve the area’s architectural identity.”
She also highlighted the importance of collaborating with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca), which GDN sources confirm is currently in talks regarding the site’s preservation status.
“Baca’s involvement is critical to ensure the historical elements are maintained, documented and integrated into a national heritage trail,” Ms Al Qattan added.
The old Salmaniya complex evolved through multiple phases – from its early days as a maternity and women’s health hospital, to a full-service facility encompassing all specialisations.
It underwent major expansions in 1978 and again in the 1990s, culminating in the modern Salmaniya Medical Complex, which continues to serve the population today.
During 2018 alone, when it marked its 60th anniversary, the facility handled 258,948 emergency visits, hosted 233,158 outpatient appointments, performed 15,631 surgeries and delivered 5,494 births.
It also launched genetic research services and modernised diagnostics, including the Genome Analysis Unit.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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