A KEY World Health Organisation (WHO) official has praised the progress made by Bahrain in healthcare and the kingdom’s achievement in the sector over the years.
The first official visit of WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy – from August 4 to 6 – reaffirmed the long-standing strategic partnership between WHO and the government of Bahrain, highlighting Bahrain’s progress in advancing national and regional health priorities and setting out a clear roadmap for enhanced co-operation in the years ahead.
Dr Balkhy met national health leaders, including Supreme Council for Health chairman Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed. They reviewed Bahrain’s health sector achievements and identified specific areas for future collaboration, with a focus on the three regional flagship initiatives.
Dr Balkhy also held discussions with Royal Medical Services (RMS) Commander Brigadier General Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on national initiatives to strengthen the health workforce, and with members of the national health working groups on multi-sectoral strategies to address communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
“Continuous strengthening of primary health care, investment in a skilled and future-ready health workforce and the integration of innovation and technology into all levels of service delivery are central to Bahrain’s National Health Plan (2016-2025),” said a WHO statement yesterday.
Dr Balkhy’s site visits illustrated these priorities in action.
Dr Balkhy and Dr Al Sayyed with officials and representatives of national health teams and committees during her visit to Bahrain
“At the Shaikh Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Khalifa Health Centre, Dr Balkhy observed Bahrain’s integrated, people-centred health service, recognising it as a regional model for strengthening primary health care.
“At the Bahrain Oncology Centre, she commended the groundbreaking achievement of using CRISPR-based gene-editing technology to treat a sickle cell disease patient, the first such application in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.”
Throughout the visit discussions emphasised whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to health.
Meetings with Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Sustainable Development Minister Noor Al Khulaif and Youth Affairs Minister Rawan Tawfiqi highlighted how multi-sectoral action is integrating health into sustainable development policies, fostering youth engagement and creating inclusive community programmes.
During a roundtable discussion on health workforce training in antimicrobial stewardship at the Arabian Gulf University, home to the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Professionals’ Education Development, Dr Balkhy reflected on the importance of preparing future health professionals not only with technical expertise but also with the resilience and foresight needed to meet evolving public health challenges.
The visit also celebrated Bahrain’s achievements in community health promotion.
Dr Al Sayyed and Dr Balkhy with officials during their meeting
The Northern and Muharraq governorates were awarded WHO Healthy Governorate designations, joining the Capital Governorate, with plans underway to extend the programme to the Southern Governorate.
Bahrain’s implementation of the WHO Healthy Cities programme offers valuable lessons for countries seeking to improve community health and advance universal health coverage.
These successes complement Bahrain’s elimination of measles and rubella, its sustained polio-free status and internationally recognised health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, honoured through awards such as the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion, the State of Kuwait Prize for the Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes and the WHO World No Tobacco Day Award.
Dr Balkhy acknowledged Bahrain’s central role in driving the regional humanitarian health agenda outlined in the Bahrain Declaration, adopted at the 2024 Arab League Summit, which sets a course for strengthening care for conflict-affected populations, improving access to essential medicines and expanding pharmaceutical and vaccine production across the region.
She reiterated WHO’s full support for the declaration’s implementation, working in close partnership with Bahrain to translate its vision into action.
“The visit reaffirmed the strong and growing partnership between WHO and the government of Bahrain and underscored WHO’s continued commitment to supporting Bahrain as it advances its national health priorities, strengthens its health system and drives progress towards achieving Health for All,” the statement concluded.
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