Bahrain register 13 pc more medical complaints

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

There has been a 13 percent increase in the complaints submitted to the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), officials have announced. The authority’s Medical Complaints Unit received 257 complaints, including 167 from individuals, 33 from healthcare facilities, and 57 from judicial authorities. Forty-two percent of the complaints were related to doctors, 44 to health institutions, and the rest to allied health professions, nursing and pharmacies.

Investigations revealed there was no professional or ethical violation in 39 percent of the complaints and cases. Technical investigation committees were able to complete the investigation of 177 cases in 2019, which represents an increase of 53 percent over the year before that.

The disciplinary committees issued 37 disciplinary measures, including 10 cases of license suspension, 18 warnings, and the revocation of a professional license.

NHRA Chief Executive Officer Mariam Adhbi Al Jalahma confirmed this.

Meanwhile the NHRA has approved licenses of 307 pharmacies and accreditation of 16 hospitals to operate in Bahrain. A total of 962 violations, 38 percent of which were drug-related and 16 percent heat and humidity related, were recorded after pharmacy personnel conducted 731 inspection visits.

Among pharmacies that are allowed to operate are 235 private pharmacies and 72 are within health institutions.

Last year, a total of 41 new pharmacies obtained licenses, including seven in health institutions and 34 as private pharmacies - a significant 17 percent increase from the total number in 2018.

Only three hospital applications to operate are currently pending due to measures adopted in light of the coronavirus, but they are expected to finalise by year-end.

Dr Al Jalahma said that NHRA, in light of the vision and directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was following a high level of independent oversight that guarantees justice, transparency and quality and ensures assessment, monitoring and auditing.

She also attributed Bahrain’s success in drawing up advanced and integrated health policies to the great efforts of the government.