.jpg?20260326')
Bahrain has developed a comprehensive National Infection Control Plan that fully aligns with World Health Organisation (WHO)’s frameworks, ensuring the safety of patients, staff and visitors across the kingdom’s health system.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed added that the kingdom is also developing a unified national dashboard to systematically track infection rates using WHO-aligned methodologies, which will enhance national reporting and strengthen decision-making.
Her remarks came in an official written response to a parliamentary question submitted by Shura Council services committee chairwoman Dr Jameela Al Salman, who inquired about Bahrain’s national strategies, compliance standards and hospital-acquired infection rates.
Dr Al Sayyed affirmed that Bahrain’s approach is built on a unified, evidence-based system implemented across government, military and private health sectors.
“The National Infection Control Plan is fully aligned with the WHO’s Strategic Framework for Infection Prevention and Control. It provides a clear roadmap supported by unified policies, robust monitoring systems and continuous workforce training,” she said.
The minister highlighted that the plan was recently updated and endorsed by the National Committee for Communicable Diseases, a multidisciplinary body overseeing public health preparedness.
“We are continuously updating our policies to reflect international best practices. Our aim is to ensure that Bahrain’s health system remains globally competitive and fully prepared to mitigate infection risks,” Dr Al Sayyed stated.
Bahrain additionally implements the Gulf Infection Control Guide, ensuring regional consistency with GCC partners, while local standards are regulated by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).
Responding to queries on regulatory measures, Dr Al Sayyed emphasised that Bahrain enforces mandatory infection control standards across all health facilities. These include infrastructure and equipment safety requirements, continuous professional training for health personnel and routine monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Health institutions must comply with Decisions No 23 of 2021 and No 2 of 2019, which set licensing, classification and safety requirements for facilities and equipment.
“These regulations ensure a unified, binding framework for infection control across the kingdom. Compliance is not optional,” the minister stressed.
Dr Al Sayyed said that infection control compliance is measured through a multilayered system involving self-audits, internal assessments and external inspections.
Each hospital has an internal infection control team conducting regular evaluations based on NHRA regulations and the GCC manual. Meanwhile, NHRA performs scheduled and unannounced inspection visits.
“Independent oversight conducted by NHRA strengthens transparency and enhances the efficiency of our infection control systems,” she noted.
“This oversight model matches international best practices and supports our commitment to patient safety.”
On infection rates, the minister confirmed that Bahrain’s hospital-acquired infection (HAI) levels are calculated using laboratory-confirmed data and benchmarked against global indicators.
“Current HAI rates in Bahrain fall within internationally acceptable ranges. They are reviewed annually through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Programme,” Dr Al Sayyed said.
&uuid=(email))