BMS wants details about recruitment of staff
King Hamad General Hospital has come into spotlight after the Bahrain Medical Society (BMS) has questioned the Ministry of Health over the administration and recruitment of personnel for the hospital.
It further plans to take up the matter in the parliament if no action is taken by the Ministry.
The President of society, Dr Abdullah Al Najmi told the Tribune: "We have not been provided any information by the ministry to date about the administration and recruitment of the hospital. We had earlier spoken with health minister, Dr Nada Haffadh who told us that the project is still in the planning stage. We met with the Undersecretary of health, Dr Aziz Hamza recently who has not given us any information. Nobody has any clue about the entire issue."
The project would be completed by the end of this year in Muharraq.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) have substantial part of the land where it will impart medical education in the Kingdom. Dr Abdullah said that if the hospital is given out to the private sector there would be a battery of problems.
"The budget of the hospital is being sanctioned by the Government and all Bahrainis should be given free treatment as it is also mentioned in the constitution. If the hospital is privatised, it will affect the Bahranisation process. We want the recruitment process to give priority to Bahrainis as it is their right," he said.
"We are not against the RCSI to handle the administrative work but what about the other sections that need to be addressed. We are not happy with the terms of the tender of the hospital as it favours the RCSI.
There should be other players who should apply for the tenders rather than one applicant in this case. We want more information from the ministry and the RCSI over this issue," he said.
"In the past, we have repeatedly asked for information but were kept in the dark. The issue looks fishy and we plan to raise the issue in parliament and with the Irish government. The authorities cannot conceal the details of such a major project which will eventually benefit the Kingdom." Dr Abdullah added.
By Sandeep Singh Grewal
© Bahrain Tribune 2007
