Health

The implementation of the national health policy to which His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa has paid all his attention since he assumed executive power in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1961, led to providing comprehensive health care to all citizens and residents of the State of Bahrain.

The health sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain since 1961 until the present time has made remarkable positive steps revealed in the figures of a recent report by the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Bahrain. After the number of beds in the governmental hospitals in Bahrain in 1961 was "742" beds, the number at the present time reached more than "1741" beds, whereas the number of beds in private hospitals in Bahrain was 21 beds but at the present time it reached "292" beds. Moreover, the number of doctors in governmental hospitals in Bahrain in 1961 was "46" compared to "1167" at the present time, and the number of nurses in governmental hospitals in Bahrain in 1961 was "223", whilst the number at the present time is "2910" nurses. The number of health centers at the present time is "23" and the life expectancy in Bahrain in 1961 was "57" years compared to "74.8" years at the present time.

From the previous figures, we can notice the wide difference and great development witnessed by the health sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain since His Highness Sheikh Khalifa assumed his executive powers in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1961.

In the context of our report, we will shed light on a brief overview of the history of the health sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain in addition to some of the achievements in this sector in the light of the wise policy adopted by His Highness the Prime Minister to upgrade this sector.

The history of the health sector in Bahrain

Reports indicate that the beginning of the establishment of hospitals and health clinics in Bahrain was in 1892 through a missionary, which was involved in the profession of treating patients in a rented Parliament in Manama. However, in 1900/1901, Victoria Memorial Hospital was built and opened in 1905, which was the first hospital built in the Gulf States.. At the beginning of its establishment, it was following the British government in India at that time. But, after a few years it was attached to the British High Commissioner Parliament. One of the functions of such hospital was treatment of patients with infectious diseases, in addition to the routine treatment of citizens, but in a very limited way. Then its responsibilities began to expand, such as the health inspection of ships and issuing health certificates and vaccination against smallpox...

This continued until the establishment of the Public Health Department in 1952, when those responsibilities shifted to this department. In the early 1950s the responsibility for overseeing that hospital was shifted to the government of Bahrain after it had been subject to the British government in India, and then with the passage of time another hospital, the American hospital was built in Bahrain in 1902, and played a big role in the treatment of patients from Bahrain and abroad, where many of the patients came from neighboring countries. In addition, some of its famous doctors paid frequent visits to those countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

At the governmental level, the first clinic in Bahrain was established in 1925; it was originally a shop at Al Muharraq market of 12-25 feet. Dr. Bandarkar was the first government doctor to be appointed in that year and who continued to work in the clinic until he rented another Parliament in the market in 1937. Thereafter and with the passage of time and expansion of the health services in this clinic, a new clinic was built in 1952.

In 1930, a clinic was built in Manama for the treatment of the sick in the area of Al Naim, and another one was built in Belad Alqadeem in 1936. Another small hospital was also built for the police of the government of Bahrain and was then converted into a hospital for the isolation of patients.
In 1937 an old Parliament was rented in Manama to be used as small maternity hospital with 3 beds only. In the same year, a Parliament was rented and allocated as a clinic for Al Rafa' neighborhood. The first clinic was built in Al Had city in 1945 and was managed by the late Mohamed Bahzad.

In 1937, plans were laid down for building the first public hospital in Bahrain, Al Naim Hospital, which was opened in stages beginning in 1940 until 1942. Sheikha Aisha, the wife of Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, officially opened the women’s ward of this hospital on the 18th of May 1940. In that same year the first X-ray was installed in the hospital.

With the passage of time, and in view of the growth in population, improvement of the standard of living and the steady expansion of the country, there became an urgent need to build a large hospital equipped with the latest medical equipments, thus Sulaymaniya Hospital was opened in two stages - the first in 1957 and the second in April 1959.

The health institutions that have attracted the attention of officials were the maternity health services. In the early 1960s three maternity hospitals were built in each of Setra, the western region and Al Refa’ Al Sharki. The preventive health care services also attracted the attention of the government; having established the Department of Public Health in 1952, during the 1960s sections for malaria and childhood care were built.

Thus, we realize that since the establishment of a Al Naim hospital and health institutions continued to emerge in the country every now and then in number and quality. The first years of the 1970s witnessed inception of many health institutions; the first model health center was Ibn Sina Health Center, which was opened in 1977. In the course of 1979 a training program for family doctors began, and studying therein lasted for three years; this project was unique in the Middle East region. The year 1978 was culminated by the inauguration of the largest health institution in the country; Sulaymaniya Medical Center opened in December of this year; and which today includes many specialized sections in addition to other specialized teaching, administrative and technical facilities.

Development of Health Systems

At the present time, the Constitution of Bahrain asserts the people's right to enjoy good health. Now health care, pure drinking water and proper health facilities are available for the entire population. Moreover, motherhood and childhood health care services cover targeted population. Vaccination coverage reaches almost 100%, and basic medicines are available in all health centers.

The implementation of the national health policy led to achieving fair distribution of medical care for the people at all levels, with special attention to the target groups through the primary health care system. The private and public sectors also contribute in providing health services, although the main burden of providing these services falls on the government.

Although the health system and the management of health services were often very central, yet, there was a strong tendency towards decentralization to improve administrative, economic and technical performance.

There are established mechanisms in Bahrain to involve the community in implementation of the health strategy, and measures are being taken to strengthen the participation of community and the non-governmental organizations, which represent an important part of the community participation at all levels. For example, the youth clubs, together with primary health care centers, launch health education campaigns, and the Bahraini family control society, participates actively in the workshops, seminars and lectures concerned with family planning, The Bahraini Red Crescent Society has been involved in such activities since several years. There are also 19 other health centers on the island, in addition to five rural maternity hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, gerontology medicine hospital for the Bahraini Ministry of Defense and three private hospitals.

The total number of beds in Bahrain increased to 1603 beds in 1989 at a rate of 23.3 beds per every 10000 people in 1997. Students receive training on nursing and related health sciences at the Health Science College.

Sectors influencing health often conflict with planning, implementation and evaluation and. The United Nations Development Program also supports research on the health of the elderly, nutrition and dental care. The health problems in Bahrain are generally those existing in countries passing the transitional stage of development. There is an indication of a decline in the contagious diseases and tumors. Blood circulation diseases are still the main cause of death in Bahrain; it is the main cause of death of 28% of the total mortality of hospitals. Following this in the descending order are tumors, diseases of the respiratory system, infectious diseases, parasitic diseases and diseases of the digestive system.

Psychological Health

In 1932 the first psychiatric hospital was established in Bahrain, and in 1967 the first specialist psychiatrist was appointed. Psychological health services are well organized, and the hospital of psychiatric disorders is the nucleus of these services; it includes 201 inpatient beds, 20-bed for addiction to alcohol and drugs units, 25 beds for patients with severe cases, 40 beds for short-stay patients, 42 beds for long stay patients and 20 beds for people with psychological ailments. There is also a day hospital that can accommodate 40 patients per day, and the number of cases admitted to hospitals annually is 1000 cases, and the outpatient clinics receive about 20000 patients annually.

Health Information Systems

Since the beginning of the 1980s, Bahrain preceded the Gulf countries to catch up with health information technology system. Health Information Center was established to be responsible party for the recruitment of technology in a variety of health services aspects. It also played the role of an expert in the field of the technology, where its main function is to evaluate and study the needs of the Ministry of Health for health devices and systems. Since then, it had made considerable progress in employing and applying global advanced techniques to be used in the Ministry.

The efforts of all staff in the Ministry were mainly concentrated on strengthening and supporting the management of health and social information functions, which hopefully can achieve great strides in the quality of services provided. It requires building a database for the organization and storage of patients' data to be available to personnel engaged in health sector and can be referred to whenever necessary.

Today, we live the start of the third millennium, where the Ministry of Health yearn for, through a new vision, focusing its efforts on the improvement and development of health services in the country. This vision, which the Ministry is seeking to achieve through health information systems strategy for the next four years, which is about to become a reality to put an end to queuing for making appointment and handwriting of the lists of medicines and duplication of health records.

The Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Bahrain

The government of Bahrain, represented by the Ministry of Health, has adopted a policy "to provide comprehensive health care to all citizens and residents." This can be achieved through its preventive and therapeutic programs through a health services network at all levels, which include primary health care, secondary health care and clinical care.

The Ministry of Health has mainly shouldered the responsibility for the implementation of the policy in all technical and material fields. It also coordinated with the State Ministries and cooperated with the private sector in the health field, both locally and internationally, in addition to members of the Bahraini community.

This can be achieved through holding courses on first aid. In addition, NGOs receive all financial support and encouragement from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs. There are also joint committees representing health centers and youth clubs in each region; they exchange ideas and implement programs on topics such as health education. Sulaymaniya Medical Center is the main health center in Bahrain for which a large proportion of the budget of the Ministry of Health is allocated and it provides most secondary and tertiary health-care services.

The Minister of Health represents the top of the organizational structure of the Ministry of Health, and is a member of the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the respected Prime Minister.

The Minister of Health is aided by the Undersecretary of the Ministry and four undersecretaries and assistants: Assistant Undersecretary for Training and Planning, Assistant Undersecretary for Hospitals Affairs, Assistant Undersecretary for Primary Health Care, and public health and Assistant Undersecretary for Administrative and Financial Affairs.

The State of Bahrain has adopted the principles of Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care. The health centers of the primary care are considered as points of contact between all groups of citizens and high-level health services. These centers provide many preventive and therapeutic services through its health clinics supported by highly qualified medical staff.

Maternity and childhood care services include many services like pregnancy, post-natal examination, family planning, periodic inspection of women, pre-marriage examination, pediatric, immunizations, home visits, and health education.

In addition, the health centers provide many preventive and therapeutic services in the field of dentistry, which is being implemented by an integrated team of doctors and technicians in oral and dental health.

All centers are aided with support services such as nursing services, health records, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology and physiotherapy services, currently provided in two health centers, and it is planned to establish a unit for this service in every health region.

The Ministry’s strategic plans are concentrated on continuing developing the quality and quantity of primary health care services. Therefore, it increased clinics for the care of diabetics and clinics devoted to examine the elderly; it also established clinics for the care of adolescents and young people.

Dental services have also been expanded, where a dental unit for children was established in order to provide special care for this group, specifically in the area of preventive care. Working hours at Isa and Muharraq Centers have been increased until midnight. These centers were provided with laboratory and radiology services to extend the time available for citizens to take advantage of the services provided.

At the present time, and in order to facilitate the measures taken at the health centers, computers have been installed at seven centers for some health services.

Computers were also installed in some maternity and childhood care health centers.

There have been some administrative and organizational changes like the creation of "nursing station" where nurses receive visitors and take necessary actions before examining them at the medical consultations clinics.

"Simple advice" clinics have been opened to examine simple cases of sickness where the main purpose was making the optimal use of the specified time for the medical consultation.

Many of these achievements would not been realized without coordination and cooperation with the public sector and other departments in the Ministry of Health, like the hereditary blood diseases project, which came in coordination between the Ministry of Health, the Rotary Club, the Genetic Blood Diseases Association and the Ministry of Education.

There are also preventive dental services for the in-patient at the Sulaymaniya Medical Center. Other educational activities have been organized for the family planning and other health programs for spreading health awareness among citizens.

The participation of the community in decision-making that is related to the health services has been on top of the priorities of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, representatives of the public have been invited to the boards of directors of many health centers.

The ambitions of the officials in primary health care are not only limited to this point, but they also look to the future with great resolve and determination to continue to build on what has been achieved at the present time. The expansion of health centers is one aspect of the plan, while the other aspect focuses on continuing the process of development and progress in the quality of these services.

The Ministry of Health attaches great importance to providing the highest level of secondary, tertiary and clinical care. This care is provided through Sulaymaniya Medical Center, in addition to five maternity hospitals scattered throughout the country, a psychiatric hospital and a hospital for the elderly.

During the last few years, Sulaymaniya Medical Center has witnessed significant developments quantitatively and qualitatively. Its premises and facilities have expanded within the project and specialized services were added in addition to providing it with all state of the art medical equipment and devices, which have contributed to the process of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients and the injured.

When referring to the statistics of 1999, we find that the outpatient clinics have received about one hundred ninety seven thousand patients referred from the health centers, where they were examined and treated by the consultants of different specialties at the best scientific and professional levels. Forty thousand patients have also been admitted to the center and given the best medical and nursing care in specialized and advanced wards.

The Accident and Emergency Department has received about two hundred thousand patients who received the best emergency and urgent treatment services. Thirty thousand surgeries including a large proportion of accurate and complex operations where carried out in which advanced devices and equipment were used such as speculum … etc.

The diagnostic and therapeutic departments, like X-ray, the laboratory, the pharmacy and the physiotherapy treatment, have continued its efforts in strengthening the health services. The supporting services, like security, cleaning services, health records, nutrition and communications, have continued its support of the mission of the Center and in providing the appropriate and effective atmosphere to provide better health services.

Today, workers in the health field are approaching a critical stage involving many challenges, including the high cost of medical services, the emergence of new and complex diseases, the rise in the awareness of citizens and the rise of aspirations and demand for the best health services. This is in addition to the boom in the field of technology and information.

In this way, they are obliged to provide advanced services at a high level of quality; they also have to work hard and continuously to evaluate these services to identify the problems, deficiencies and obstacles and propose solutions and alternatives, in addition to the implementation of advanced development plans and make all necessary efforts to achieve these goals. Based on this, it is necessary to cooperate with the primary health care sector, and the secondary care services complementary.
3.50. The Department of Public Health assumes task of providing preventive health and environmental services. It also plays a key role in health standards and follow up their implementation. In addition, it provides several services, including occupational health services, control of infectious and non-infectious diseases, setting a policy for health education, pest control working to eliminate the spread of infectious diseases and registering and issuing birth and death certificates, through the following sections:

- Births and Deaths Registration Section.
-Epidemics Combat Section.
-Infectious Diseases Section / EPI.
-Food and Water Control Section.
-Public Health Laboratory.
-Nutrition Section.
-Occupational Health Section.
-Educational Health Section.
-Environment Health Section.

In view of the expansion of industrialization that the country is witnessing, and the increase in the rates of expatriates in the country, the environmental health section has witnessed equivalent expansion to keep pace with such increase; it also set polices that would protect the health of workers.

The total number of workers in the Ministry of Health was around 6800 employees in the various facilities and services of the Ministry. Based on the Bahrainis strategy, and in a bid to upgrade the efficiency of its employees, the Ministry is progressing rapidly in the area of training and qualifying national human resources; it has managed to go a long way in the area of nationalizing the technical and administrative jobs.

The Health Sciences College, which was established in 1976, has contributed a great deal in this area. A unique group of qualified scientific and professional skilled personnel are managing it. The college is considered the only institution in Bahrain, which provides continuing education program and educational program for the nursing sector and professionals in the field of health, the staff of the Ministry of Health and members of the community in coordination with local and international health organizations like the World Health Organization.

Joslen Center for Diabetes in Bahrain

The Objectives of the Center:

Improving the quality of life of patients suffering from diabetes and its complications through the innovative methods of care, education and research that contribute to the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Our aim is to improve the health of diabetes patients and its complications through innovative care methods, education and researches that contribute to protection against and treatment of diseases.

The Speech of the Chairman of the Board

More than one century has passed since the establishment of Joslen Center for Diabetes, which was established by Dr. Eliot B. Joslen in 1898. This Center, that is located in Boston , plays a pioneering role in providing the latest health care for the diabetes patients.

Joslen center has provided the best health care for over a quarter of a million diabetes patients, Joslen contributions in research and clinical experiments and education have benefited millions of diabetes patients all over the world. This center in Bahrain is considered the first international center associated with Joslen. It is also the first medial center in the region fully specialized in the treatment and prevention against diabetes.

In fact, the establishment of this center is fulfilling urgent needs because diabetes is currently affecting over a quarter of the inhabitants of Bahrain . It is also more worrisome that more than 40% of the inhabitants are likely to be infected by the symptoms of this disease. Therefore, the hunch of finding a solution for this serious health problem was occupying my mind when I sought to contact this internationally famed diabetes center.

There I managed to establish successful business relations with Dr. Alan Jacobson, the first vice-president of the strategies initiatives section at Joslen Center in Boston and Dr. Toni Keldani, international programs director at Joslen where we worked to together to draw up a work plan, while we managed at the same time to gain the approval of the government of Bahrain to establish this center, provide a land for it and secure the suitable finance for this valuable project.

I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the revered Prime Minister and His Highness Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Force for their endless support and their encouragement at all times.

It is my pleasure as Chairman of the Board of Joslen Center – Bahrain to be able to provide the best medical care in the whole world for the diabetes patients upon your request and at the least costs. Finally, I wish you all the best health and eternal happiness.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – The Medical University of Bahrain .

His Highness Mr. Bertie Ahern, the Prime Minister of Ireland and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, have officially opened the new building of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - the Medical University of Bahrain- in the Sayef Suburb of the City of Manama .

The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Niall O'haijness, President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Mr. Michael Horjan, CEO of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Professor Kevin Umali, the founding President of the Medical University of Bahrain and many members of this scientific edifice and a number of visiting dignitaries.

It is worth mentioning that the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland- the Medical University of Bahrain- was opened at the beginning of this year; it primarily aims at providing educational and training programs from its headquarters in Bahrain to the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council: "Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "The university has received the first batch of medical students on Saturday, the 9 th of October 2004.

Mr. Michael Horjan, the C.E.O of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland said that the college is a pride to all those who contributed to this project; we have completed the feasibility study, designed the curriculum, hired the staff and registered the students, thus, we have succeeded in opening the Premises of the Medical University of Bahrain in less than a year after the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the government of Bahrain in mid-October of 2003.

This rapid achievement confirms the commitment of the University and the continued support of the project, from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and the distinguished members of government, in addition to the enormous efforts made by the staff of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland . I am here to express my great gratitude to the Mercury International project managers, for their great efforts in completing the University building in a short period of time.

His Excellency Mr. Bertie Ahern, the Prime Minister of Ireland, during his address to the ceremony, expressed his delight at witnessing the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and strengthening its services by offering its health services in Bahrain . He said: "Today marks another step in cooperation in the field of health care between Bahrain and Ireland ; as reflected in the outstanding, wonderful facilities and education and training programs for Bahrain medical University as a partnership between the government of Bahrain and the College."

The need for third-level Irish institutions increases its foothold on the international level; its features were registered in the report of Reviewing the Higher Education Policy Committee in Ireland issued recently. The report recommended the Irish third education institutions to market itself worldwide more effectively and to make substandard structural reforms to be able to compete at the global level.

The opening of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - the Medical University of Bahrain – is a clear reflection of that; it is also a greater confirmation of the long-term relationship between the government and the Kingdom of Bahrain for a period of 30 years.

The Irish Prime Minister hailed Professor Kevin Umali, the founding President of the Medical University of Bahrain and confirmed the remark made by the University President at the outset of the project.

He added: "the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has a legacy of development and maintains the highest standards of medical excellence, and I have no doubt that this legacy will be applied here in Bahrain by Professor Umali and his team".

He also expressed his gratitude to the commitment and shrewd vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the distinguished Prime Minister for encouraging and supporting this project since its beginnings, as well as the efforts and cooperation of Dr. Faisal Almosri and Dr. Mohamed Al-Amoudi.

As a subsidiary to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , the Medical University of Bahrain will offer bachelor's degree programs in medicine during a five and six-year course of study with an additional disciplines such as pharmacy, physiotherapy, and nursing, in addition to many other specialized programs in the field of health care in the future.

The University will be included in the Guide to the World Health Organization's of Medical Colleges, and the graduates will be awarded a universally recognized bachelor's degree in Medicine.

Professor Umali continued by saying: "I am very happy to take over the leadership of this outstanding work, I am confident that we will graduate doctors with high efficiency and confidence; they will have the ability to compete after receiving the high-level training at the University. Our success and the success of the Bahraini government will be apparent upon the graduation of the University doctors who will present first-class medical care to the Gulf region at large. "