Four major healthcare projects are set to be completed in Bahrain’s Central Governorate over the next two years as part of the Health Ministry's strategic plan until 2030, it was revealed yesterday (August 12).

The projects form part of a comprehensive package of initiatives set to be rolled out over the next decade, which will also see specialised diabetes and sickle cell anaemia clinics introduced at all health centres across the country.

Health Ministry public health and primary healthcare assistant under-secretary Dr Maryam Al Jalahma gave an update on the ministry's strategic plan at a conference held in the Central Governorate headquarters in Isa Town yesterday.

'Work began in May on a physiotherapy clinic at the Hamad Kanoo Health Centre in Riffa, which is expected to be complete by July 2015,' said Dr Al Jalahma.

'The expansion of the nursing department at the same centre is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2015, whereas the expansion of Sitra Maternity Hospital is due to be completed by the end of next year.

'Meanwhile, the Yousuf Abdulrahman Engineer Health Centre in Isa Town is also expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2015 and will serve about 35,000 people from 26 neighbourhoods, providing therapeutic, preventative and physiotherapeutic services.'

This new BD6 million ($15.8 million) health centre will consist of a pharmacy equipped with hi-tech medical devices in addition to emergency, radiology, treatment and operation rooms alongside dental clinics and specialised sections for school health, family counselling and marital guidance.

The fifth project discussed was a maternity hospital in A'ali, which is part of a second phase of development due to come to fruition around 2018, according to Dr Al Jalahma.

'The objectives of the ministry are to maintain the health of the population through health promotion and prevention,' she said.

'Life-long high-quality healthcare for all people in Bahrain of all age groups is the prime focus of the ministry and the government.

'To secure this the ministry has its strategic plan to work in parallel with the Economic Vision 2030.'

Currently, there are 27 government health centres in Bahrain, three of which operate around the clock, while another four are open until midnight.

Secondary healthcare is provided by Salmaniya Medical Complex, King Hamad University Hospital, the Psychiatric Hospital. Muharraq Maternity Hospital and Elderly Care Centre, Jidhafs and Sitra Maternity Hospitals, Abdulrahman Kanoo Centre for Kidney Patients and the Ibrahim Khalil Kanoo Social Health Centre.

Challenge

There are also 18 private hospitals, 96 specialist medical centres, 295 medical clinics, 23 laboratories, 141 pharmacies, 116 optical shops and 146 shops selling food and health products in the private sector.

Population growth is a major driver for the expansion of healthcare provision and poses one of the biggest challenges for the Health Ministry, Dr Al Jalahma said.

'Other challenges include the high incidence of chronic diseases and the high proportion of elderly people' and ensuring that they lead a healthy life,' she said.

'The high cost of treatment, medicines and the cost involved in employing qualified healthcare staff also adds to the challenges.

'Last but not the least, the high cost of technology used for diagnosis is also a major challenge.' - TradeArabia News Service