Proposal to Turn Former East Riffa Health Centre Into Oncology Centre

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Parliament will debate on Tuesday a motion to convert the former East Riffa Health Centre into an oncology centre for the Southern Governorate, as MPs argue cancer care should be closer to residents and pressure eased on Salmaniya Medical Complex and King Hamad University Hospital.

The proposal, submitted by MPs Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Mohammed Mousa, Bader Al Tamimi, Mohammed Yousef Al Maarafi and Najeeb Al Kowari, calls on the government to turn the former facility in East Riffa into a specialised centre for treating cancer patients, serving residents of the governorate and others.

Supporters say the move would improve health services, strengthen the system’s ability to provide co-ordinated care, and respond to what they described as a rise in cancer cases. They also say it would help reduce pressure on existing oncology services at Salmaniya and King Hamad University Hospital, while placing treatment nearer to families in the South.

Dr Al Nuaimi cited Article 8(a) of Bahrain’s Constitution, which states that the State guarantees every citizen the right to healthcare, cares for public health, and provides prevention and treatment by establishing hospitals and health institutions. He said the proposal follows an assessment of local needs in the Southern Governorate, arguing that a dedicated cancer facility is needed in the area.

In its view, the Ministry of Health said the King Hamad Cancer Centre at King Hamad University Hospital is a national specialist centre that serves patients from across the Kingdom, including the Southern Governorate, in line with international best practice and using the latest medical equipment. It said the centre includes rooms equipped to receive cancer patients and children, and meets the Kingdom’s needs for cancer treatment.

The ministry added that the Board of Trustees of Primary Health Care Centres, acting under the direction of the Supreme Council of Health and in co-ordination with relevant bodies within the framework of the health insurance law, has been studying proposals and options for the former East Riffa Health Centre building to ensure the best use of available resources, alongside the introduction of the health insurance system.

Parliament’s Services Committee recommended approving the proposal, with all members present in agreement, saying the public-interest grounds presented for the change were sound.