The Council plays a key role in contributing to the development of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Over the past years, the Council has been working on preparing the appropriate infrastructure and developing the necessary strategies to improve the healthcare sector, particularly in enhancing the efficiency of services, sustainability of health resources, and coordination with all parties in the public and private sectors, as well as building bridges with international organizations related to the health sector. The Council also emphasizes the implementation of principles of transparency, justice, and sustainability in the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Health
Decree-Law No. (5) Of 2013 establishing the Supreme Council of Health clarified the objectives of the Council and the tasks and responsibilities it undertakes as follows:
The Supreme Council for Health is tasked with formulating the national health strategy for the Kingdom and monitoring its implementation in collaboration with relevant government agencies, organizations, and bodies. To do so, it has the following responsibilities:
- Developing policies on the total number of required families for Bahrain and coordinating plans and programs of relevant institutions.
- Developing a funding policy for health services through implementing a comprehensive health insurance system.
- Developing a concept for the number and distribution of public and private healthcare institutions in Bahrain.
- Establishing a unified information technology system for all public and private healthcare institutions in Bahrain.
- Developing quality standards for healthcare services and taking necessary measures to ensure the rights and safety of beneficiaries in coordination with the National Authority for Regulating Health Professions and Services.
- Establishing training regulations and policies for health and educational institutions to ensure the availability of medical, health, and administrative personnel.
- Encouraging and coordinating scientific research in the health field.
- Coordinating medical services among service providers in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Regulating health conferences and visits by specialists in the health field in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Establishing regulations for the appointment of health institution management boards.
- Establishing general regulations for the unified purchase of drugs, medical equipment, and materials.
- Encouraging community organizations working in the health field and collaborating with them for the benefit of citizens and residents.
- Recommending modifications to health-related legislation and submitting them to the Council of Ministers.
- Preparing an annual report submitted to the Council of Ministers, which covers its major decisions and recommendations, as well as an assessment of the health conditions in the Kingdom of Bahrain and ways to improve them.