Bahrain Brings Alternative Healthcare into the Mainstream

Interest in alternative and complementary healthcare has grown worldwide, driven by a shift towards preventive, lifestyle-based and holistic approaches to well-being. Practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, yoga and mindfulness are now widely used across the United States, Europe and Asia. Global health bodies, including the World Health Organization, have encouraged governments to regulate and integrate these practices into national health systems to improve safety, quality and patient care.

This global trend is increasingly visible in Bahrain. As lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease become more prevalent, more residents are exploring alternative therapies alongside conventional medical care. Recognising this shift early, the Government of Bahrain has adopted a structured and forward-looking approach, bringing alternative healthcare into the national health framework through regulation, licensing and policy oversight.

Alternative healthcare is not new to Bahraini society. Traditional practices such as hijama (cupping) and herbal remedies have long been part of community health traditions. What has changed in recent years is the way these practices are governed and professionalised. In 2016, the government established a legal foundation for regulating alternative and complementary medicine, signalling a clear policy choice to move the sector out of informality and into a supervised healthcare environment.

The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) has since played a central role in implementing this vision. Through licensing requirements, verification of professional qualifications and regular facility inspections, the authority ensures that alternative healthcare services meet acceptable safety and quality standards. Practices such as hijama, acupuncture, Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic care, homeopathy and therapeutic massage are now subject to the same regulatory discipline expected of other health services. This framework protects patients while allowing credible practitioners to operate transparently.

Crucially, government policy positions alternative healthcare as complementary to modern medicine, not a replacement for it. Conventional medical treatment remains central to Bahrain’s healthcare system, with alternative therapies encouraged as supportive options where appropriate. This distinction has helped prevent unrealistic claims while encouraging coordination between patients, physicians and licensed alternative practitioners. The emphasis remains firmly on evidence, transparency and informed choice — principles that protect patients while respecting cultural and personal preferences.

Bahrain has also invested in capacity building and international cooperation. Health authorities have engaged with countries that have long-standing traditional medicine systems, particularly India and China, to study best practices in training, certification and clinical governance. These exchanges have helped shape licensing standards suited to Bahrain’s healthcare environment while maintaining international credibility.

Beyond health outcomes, the regulated integration of alternative healthcare supports wider national goals. It contributes to Bahrain’s Vision 2030 focus on quality of life, preventive care and service-sector diversification. Properly regulated wellness services also enhance the Kingdom’s appeal as a destination for medical and wellness tourism, while creating professional opportunities within the health sector.

Challenges remain, particularly in addressing misinformation and discouraging unlicensed practice. However, Bahrain’s regulatory framework provides a strong foundation to address these concerns over time.

By choosing regulation over restriction and integration over neglect, Bahrain has demonstrated a balanced and forward-looking approach. As global interest in holistic health continues to rise, the Kingdom’s policies ensure that alternative healthcare evolves as a credible, well-governed component of its modern healthcare system.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Daily Tribune)