Five-year strategy unveiled to make Bahrain's SMC autonomous

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Seven new specialty clinics will be opened at the country’s main hospital, it has been announced.

Details of the five-year strategy for the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) were revealed by Government Hospitals’ chief executive Dr Ahmed Al Ansari yesterday.

He was speaking at a virtual Government Media Briefing to discuss the ‘Autonomisation Strategy of Government Hospitals in the Kingdom of Bahrain’, organised by the National Communication Centre in co-operation with the Supreme Council of Health.

Freedom

Since 2018, the GDN has been reporting on plans to make SMC autonomous, giving it operational freedom in terms of administration and finance, free of governance by the Health Ministry.

“The autonomisaton strategy aims to transform government hospitals into self-service providers,” said Dr Al Ansari, noting that currently there are 4,888 members of staff – 628 doctors, 2,399 nurses, 601 ancillaries and 1,260 paramedics.

“The strategic goals for the self-management of government hospitals are based on a targeted operating model, which is needed to help achieve these goals.

“The hospitals will be independent service providers in order to offer the best quality service to patients.”

Dedicated

The new clinics, to be set up over a period until 2025, will be dedicated to diabetes, ophthalmology, paediatrics, sickle cell disease, geriatric, neurology and ENT.

“These are the disciplines that the government hospitals would like to focus on in the next five years.

“The diabetes and nutrition clinic is important due to the prevalence of the disease not only in Bahrain but across the Gulf and the larger world.

“The ophthalmology will focus on improving daily surgeries and treatment to help people get back to their normal lives earlier.

“As for paediatrics, we know the system has the best to offer with as many as 23 specialists but we aim to improve the care based on the needs.

“The sickle cell unit will aim to provide quality care while the neurology centre will serve the needs of patients in Bahrain.

“The centre for the elderly will be equipped with the latest facilities and offer services to in-patients and outpatients, while the ENT facility will be similarly equipped with high-end facilities.”

The establishment of the new clinics under the autonomisation drive of the government hospitals is part of the National Health Insurance Scheme (Sehati) which will allow SMC doctors to open their clinics at the facility, but limiting them from setting up private clinics outside the hospital.

“The government hospitals are now under a chief executive who is under supervision and reports to a board of trustees under the Supreme Council for Health,” said Dr Al Ansari.

He said besides financial sustainability, the aim was to provide services of the highest quality and letting patients choose their healthcare provider.

“The aim is to achieve advanced rates of competitiveness, transparency and justice, in a way that contributes to the implementation of Bahrain Vision 2030.”

Dr Al Ansari added that the autonomisation project awaits the approval of its financial and administrative bylaws.

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