700 Bahrainis targeted in major health sector training drive

Training

For many young Bahraini doctors, the journey from graduation to a stable medical career often begins with a search for practical training and experience. Strengthening that path has become a growing focus in national healthcare policy.

During its upcoming session, Parliament will review the government’s reply regarding a proposal that calls for increased support to train newly graduated doctors working in private hospitals. This is part of broader efforts to prepare Bahraini medical professionals and expand their employment opportunities in the healthcare sector.

The government affirmed its commitment to supporting and developing national healthcare talent, noting that the Labour Fund, Tamkeen, has launched several initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills of newly graduated Bahraini doctors and encouraging their integration into private healthcare institutions.

Initiatives

Among the most prominent initiatives is the Ta’heel programme, which provides an advanced one year training certificate in general medicine. The programme is designed to improve the competence of newly graduated doctors and prepare them for the labour market.

Under the programme, participating doctors gain practical experience by working two days a week in government hospitals and three days a week in private sector medical institutions, allowing them to benefit from both systems while building their professional experience.

The government also noted that private sector employment support programmes provide wage subsidies for newly graduated doctors and job seekers, provided that their monthly salary is not less than BD800. The initiative aims to encourage private healthcare providers to recruit and retain Bahraini medical professionals across different specialties.

Future

Tamkeen has also introduced educational loan initiatives to support Bahraini doctors wishing to pursue postgraduate studies, including master’s degrees or fellowship programmes in specialised medical fields.

In cooperation with the Supreme Council of Health, the government has launched five major initiatives aimed at training more than 700 Bahrainis working in the healthcare sector. These initiatives include board programmes for doctors in both public and private hospitals, fellowship programmes, nursing preparation schemes and specialised nursing training.

The government stressed that these initiatives represent an important step in strengthening Bahraini doctors' professional capabilities, improving their employment prospects and enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided to the community.

Behind every programme and training initiative are young doctors beginning long nights in hospital wards, building the experience that will one day place them at the front lines of caring for the nation’s health.