Retired Medical Equipment to Support Education

TDT | Manama

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A proposal to redirect retired medical equipment from public hospitals to educational institutions received unanimous approval from the Southern Municipal Council, marking a step towards greater sustainability and support for medical training.

The initiative centres on utilising devices withdrawn from clinical service but remain suitable for instructional purposes. Instead of being auctioned or disposed of, this equipment would go to colleges of medicine and health sciences, where students can gain practical exposure during foundational and applied training stages.

Members agreed that the move represents a practical solution balancing financial responsibility with educational benefit. By repurposing assets the state already owns, institutions can reduce the cost of acquiring brand new training devices, while simultaneously limiting waste.

The approach also aligns with broader principles of rationalising public expenditure and ensuring that government assets continue to generate value even after their primary operational lifespan ends.

Councillors highlighted that early hands on familiarity with real medical equipment strengthens students’ technical competence before they enter the workforce. The proposal is therefore expected to enhance graduate readiness, improve training quality, and reinforce cooperation between the health and education sectors.

The unanimous vote reflects consensus that public resources should be managed strategically, with long term benefit in mind. By transforming retired equipment into educational tools, the council endorsed a model that merges sustainability, fiscal prudence, and national capacity building within the healthcare field.