Shura Council set to review draft law establishing Bahrain as regional health tourism hub

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Hotels or hospital stays for incoming patients will be among the practical questions when the Shura Council meets on Sunday to debate an amended draft law to regulate health tourism.

The draft law aims to create a legislative framework for health tourism in Bahrain, strengthen the kingdom’s position as a regional centre for health services, protect the rights of patients travelling from abroad, ensure service quality, and support the economy by widening income sources in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the tourism sector strategy for 2022–2026.

The council’s Services Committee has recommended proceeding with the proposal.

Idea

The Ministry of Health, in its written view, welcomed the aims of the proposal and said regulating health tourism through a dedicated law is a good idea.

It added that the govern- ment’s final position is still being prepared through consultation and coordination with the relevant bodies, and will be presented in a government opinion memorandum.

The ministry said the definition of ‘health tourism’ should match Bahrain’s strategy and the way the government wants to promote the kingdom, including what it means by delivering integrated services to the patient. It also raised questions around short stays linked to treatment.

Options

The ministry said the draft should clarify the accommodation options and make clear if the patient is expected to remain inside the same health institution for the full course of treatment, or stay in tourism accommodation such as hotels, hotel apartments or furnished tourist apartments arranged in coordination with the health institution.

It said this point needs early clarity to determine the role of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). The ministry also said the proposal should describe the boundaries of public–private partnership, or at least outline its main features.

On entry permits, it said the proposed ‘health tourism visa’ requires the view of the Ministry of Interior on the need for such a visa and on whether it should be covered by law or handled through a decision that sets the mechanism and procedures in a more flexible way.

Provisions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the provisions of the proposal fall within the remit of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism.

It added that it would support promotion through Bahrain’s diplomatic missions for medical and health projects and programmes that help showcase Bahrain’s achievements regionally and internationally.

The proposal was submitted by Services Committee head Dr Jameela Al Salman, Shura Council second deputy chair Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee head Dalal Al Zayed, Dr Ebtesam Al Dallal and Ali Al Aradi.