The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) has succeeded in achieving a number of goals despite the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID).
NHRA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mariam Adhbi Al Jalahma stressed the authority’s commitment to furthering the sustainability and quality of its health services in line with the 2030 Bahrain Economic Vision.
She pointed out that the authority was ranked among twenty top governmental entities as per the The National Suggestion and Complaint system “Tawasul”.
Dr. Al Jalahma made the statement during the government media briefing, which was organised in cooperation with the National Communication Centre (NCC).
She underlined the NHRA-led efforts to engage the private sector health establishments in promoting prevention in line with the mandatory precautionary measures prescribed by the National Taskforce for Combating COVID-19.
She pointed out the temporary suspension of non-emergency medical or health procedures, adding that the authority had conducted 595 visits to private and public health facilities to ensure their compliance.
Dr. Al Jalahma said that the number of health institutions has reached 808 to-date in the Kingdom of Bahrain, adding that 40 new establishments were granted licences while 52 others are still pending.
The authority has also renewed the licences of 289 establishments between January and May 2021. According to updated 2021 statistics, the number of licensed health professionals stood at 18,419, including 21 visiting doctors.
“The authority has also issued 582 new licences and renewed 17,485 others”, said Dr. Al Jalahma, adding that 17 hospitals and 23 medical centres have been accredited.
Meanwhile, the number of pharmacies rose to 365 – of whom 76 operate within health institutions, while the number of medical warehouses has reached 18.
The NHRA chief reported 63 complaints as per May 2021, adding that 41 were lodged by individuals while health establishments themselves reported 10 others while the Public Prosecution and the judiciary referred 12 cases.
“A total of 22 complaints were lodged against the private sector and 19 others against private sector establishments in 2021”, said Dr. Al Jalahma, adding that no medical errors were confirmed in 64% of the cases.
The NHRA disciplinary and accountability committees has so far taken 12 measures – including 12 suspensions and 4 warnings.
Source: Bahrain News Agency