Unlicensed nurses and physiotherapists who provide healthcare services in homes will face legal action, it has been revealed. All facilities in Bahrain offering such services have been urged to abide by the law and recruit licensed staff.

The warning comes as the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) has been notified of cases where medical personnel who do not have NHRA licences and are on a different visa status were providing home healthcare services for the elderly in the kingdom.

“We have noticed that some facilities are providing health services by using non-licensedindividuals who are on a visa status other than the medical field,” said NHRA chief executive Dr Mariam Al Jalahma.

“They are not licensed nurses or physiotherapists and are in legal violation for practising the profession without receiving NHRA clearance.”

The NHRA has issued a warning to home healthcare facilities, asking them to stop using nursing and physiotherapy services from unlicensed individuals. Dr Al Jalahma said these facilities should not be employing medical staff not approved by the regulator. She said those found violating the rules will face strict legal action and will be referred to the Public Prosecution. “We will take legal action immediately against these unlicensed individuals. We will be holding meetings soon with home care facilities informing them if they want to hire those individuals, then they should proceed with the NHRA licensing.

“They will have to go through the licensure exams and their educational certificates will be verified as part of the process.” She also said employing the rogue healthcare workers who are under a different category visa will not be tolerated.

“They need to have a proper visa and NHRA licence to practice the profession.” The NHRA registered a total of 30,621 healthcare professionals last year, including 14,978 nurses and 7,109 doctors in public and private facilities – an increase of nine per cent over 2017.

The total number of registered healthcare facilities last year was 716 that included nine home healthcare services. Meanwhile, the NHRA announced it has moved operations to its new headquarters in Sanabis, adding that due to the logistics involved it will remain closed until December 28.sandy@gdn.com.bh

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