Non-Bahraini health fees rise as waits persist

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Long waits for serious cases in Bahrain’s public health system and the delayed start of health insurance for non-Bahrainis were thrust back into view.

This came after MP Mahmoud Fardan said the strain on state care could no longer be brushed aside.

H.E. Health Minister Jaleela Al Sayed said a tender had been put out for the insurance scheme and fees for non-Bahrainis were already being raised in stages.

Fardan said the timing was far from ideal given the exceptional circumstances, but argued that the figures spoke for themselves.

He said government hospitals and primary healthcare centres had recorded about 67,028 cases between 2023 and 2025, which he said showed the weight now falling on the health sector.

Illnesses

The lawmaker pointed to National Audit Office findings on long waits in outpatient clinics for serious illnesses, including kidney disease and heart valve cases.