MPs to revisit East Riffa site plan for cancer centre

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

MPs will return tomorrow to a proposal to turn the former East Riffa Health Centre into a cancer treatment centre in the Southern Governorate, after the item was delayed at the last sitting because time ran short and the agenda was crowded.

The request was submitted by MPs Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Mohammed Mousa, Bader Al Tameemi, Mohammed Yousif Al Maarafi and Najeeb Al Koari.

They are asking the government to repurpose the former clinic building in East Riffa as a specialist site for treating cancer patients, serving residents of the Southern Governorate and others.

Service

Backers say the move would improve the standard of care, support a stronger health service, and help cut pressure on existing oncology services at Salmaniya Medical Complex and King Hamad University Hospital.

They also say the governorate needs a dedicated site for malignant tumours closer to local families.

Dr Al Nuaimi linked the proposal to the constitutional right to healthcare.

Healthcare

“The state guarantees every citizen the right to healthcare, is concerned with public health, and guarantees means of prevention and treatment by establishing different types of hospitals and health institutions,” he said, citing Article 8(a) of Bahrain’s Constitution.

He said the case for a new site was tied to rising demand and strained capacity at current providers.

“Malignant tumour cases are increasing in Bahrain, and the Southern Governorate needs a dedicated cancer hospital close to its people, while pressure must be reduced on oncology services at Salmaniya and King Hamad University Hospital,” he said.

View

The Ministry of Health, in its summary view submitted to Parliament, said the King Hamad Cancer Centre at King Hamad University Hospital already serves as a national specialist hub for cancer care, covering patients across the Kingdom, including the Southern Governorate.