Bahrain18 November 20153 min read

MPs’ proposals to receive priority, says Al Hammadi

By Muhannad Mansour/DTNN ,muhannad@dt.bh. C lose on the heels of the demands from the MPs that Bahrain should be made a hub of health tourism, Parliament and Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi yesterday stressed that parliamentarians' proposals were a priority. He said the government had studied

Editorial Team Legacy

Published 18 November 2015, 8:00 · Updated 22:12

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MPs’ proposals to receive priority, says Al Hammadi

Close on the heels of the demands from the MPs that Bahrain should be made a hub of health tourism, Parliament and Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi yesterday stressed that parliamentarians’ proposals were a priority. He said the government had studied them carefully.

Al Hammadi added that the Ministry was constantly working through its strategies to improve health care services that were provided to citizens and residents.

Meanwhile, MP Dr. Jameela Al Sammak opined that the existing challenges must be overcome to improve the country’s health care facilities.

She mentioned some of them highlighting that the key to improve the health centre was to rehabilitate and improve the conditions of local medical cadres.

“Instead of spending huge amounts of money on treating citizens abroad, why we don’t invest in our medical staff,” she queried.

Commenting that the Supreme Council for Health and the Ministry should take a cue from countries like Jordan, MP Majed Al Majed said, “Many Bahrainis seek treatment in Jordan. Why give them the opportunity to receive treatment in their home country instead.”

“Working hours of health care institutions must be revised. There are health centres that cover areas of more than 30,000 people and operate only to 8pm and 10pm. If we can’t provide proper health care to our citizens, would we be able to provide it for tourists seeking health care in Bahrain?” he elaborated.

In reply to Al Majed’s question, a representative of Health Ministry who was present at the session said, “Health Ministry has a plan to soon operate all health centres around the clock. But, studies showed that it will cost the Ministry an approximate 3.5 million every year.”

MP Khalifa Al Hani commented: “We can’t deny that medical services in the country are steadily improving, thanks to the Ministry’s strategies, which we acknowledge. But at the same time there are huge challenges in terms of financing and availability of staff.”

“As MPs, we must issue legislations that allow local and foreign investors to enter this field. Many countries depend on health care tourism and GCC states are developing this sector as it truly benefits the country’s economy. We have seafronts that could be utilised as spas and rehabilitation centres. The government must look into it as it will surely benefit the country,” he added.

Photo Caption: Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi

MPs’ proposals to receive priority, says Al Hammadi

Editorial Team Legacy

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