A TOP minister has categorically denied the existence of unlicensed medical facilities in Bahrain, clarifying that recent violations uncovered by authorities involved isolated sites providing health-related services rather than full-fledged clinics.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed outlined Bahrain’s regulatory and inspection framework governing the healthcare sector while responding to two parliamentary questions from MPs Jameel Hassan and Ali Al Dossary.
She revealed that eight locations had recently been shut down for improperly offering health-related services, but emphasised that such cases remain ‘isolated incidents and not a phenomenon in Bahrain’.
“There are no unlicensed clinics in Bahrain,” Dr Al Sayyed said.
“The eight sites that were shut down were individual cases, and their detection reflects the strength of co-operation between regulatory authorities.”
The Health Ministry, the Interior Ministry, and the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) work jointly through an integrated inspection and monitoring mechanism, she added.
“The detection of violations is evidence of the co-operation between the Health and Interior Ministries and the NHRA,” she said.
“These places were used to provide health services, but they were not clinics.”
Dr Al Sayyed also highlighted Bahrain’s robust regulatory systems for tracking medical devices and equipment entering the country.
“There is a unified tracking system at Customs to verify every medical device entering Bahrain,” she explained, noting that the system operates in co-ordination with the Interior Ministry and Customs Affairs.
“We monitor all medical devices entering the country, and there are systems in place to ensure the safety of citizens and the community.”
She stressed that Bahrain is among the first countries in the region to establish independent bodies for medical accountability, inspection and health-sector licensing.
“The health system in Bahrain is strict and highly regulated,” she said. “We reject the existence of even a single unlicensed practitioner or site.”
She urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity or concerns regarding health service providers.
“We stress the importance of community safety and we encourage anyone who notices a violation or an unlicensed health practitioner to report it immediately,” Dr Al Sayyed said.
“The ministry responds to reports and takes strict and immediate measures, which may include referring the case to the Public Prosecution,” she added.
Dr Al Sayyed reiterated the government’s continued commitment to upholding the highest standards of public health, safety and regulatory compliance across the kingdom.
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