The Supreme Council of Health
The Supreme Council of Health praised the community's commitment to preventive measures during its regular meeting, presided over by His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health and Head of the National Medical Team to combat COVID-19, and with the participation of Her Excellency Dr. Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh, Minister of Health, and council members. The council also congratulated Bahraini doctors and all medical sector members on the occasion of Bahraini Doctors Day.
The council praised the generous initiative of His Majesty King Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, in dedicating an award for Bahraini doctors and dedicating an annual day for Bahraini doctors. The council expressed its gratitude and appreciation for the Bahraini medical sector, which has demonstrated its generosity and sacrifices in various circumstances.
The council reviewed the national efforts to combat COVID-19 and praised the preventive measures and proactive measures, as well as the exceptional cooperation shown by the dear people of Bahrain. The council noted its pride and high level of appreciation for the community's discipline and commitment, which contributed to reducing the spread rate and provided encouragement for the success of the efforts to combat this virus, and for the return of various aspects of public life to normal, God willing.
The Council also noted the availability of the vaccine approved by Bahrain for emergency use for groups most dealing with people infected with the virus, from the front-line cadres on an optional basis.
The Secretary-General of the Council, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Ali Al-Nawakhda, stated that the Council emphasized the importance of continuing to follow guidelines and preventive measures in implementing the directives of Bahrain's leadership under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister., may God protect him.
The Council discussed the strategy for health Insurance for foreigners and decided to refer the matter to the Health Insurance Fund (SHIFA) for its recommendations before submitting it to the relevant government. The Council reviewed the items listed on its agenda and had a comprehensive discussion.
The Council also reviewed the decisions issued by the esteemed Council of Ministers and the ministerial committees regarding the self-management strategy for government hospitals and primary health care centers. Among the most prominent of these were: regulating health insurance for visitors to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and establishing central stores for medicines. The Council directed those concerned to work on developing mechanisms to implement the provisions of these decisions.
Then Major General Doctor Sheikh Salman bin Atiyatullah Al Khalifa, Commander of King Hamad University Hospital, gave a presentation on the developments of the stroke treatment project, which receives all cases of stroke or brain hemorrhage to King Hamad University Hospital.
Major General Doctor Sheikh Salman bin Attia confirmed that the hospital succeeded in providing the most modern means for diagnosing infected cases within an hour, which helped in speeding up dealing with patients suffering from brain clots or bleeding according to international protocols. The council discussed the needs of this pioneering project to provide the best treatment services for cerebral hemorrhage The Council directed the continuation of coordination between Salmaniya Medical Hospital and King Hamad University Hospital to develop a final vision of coordination for the development and sustainability of this project to provide this service with the highest standards and the desired level.
Then the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, His Excellency Dr. Walid Khalifa Al-Manea, gave an extensive presentation on a project to amend the law on transfer and transplantation of human organs, and His Excellency the Chairman of the Council instructed to submit the amendments to the members of the Council for consideration.
The Council also discussed the proposed amendments to the Law on Practicing the Human Medicine and Dentistry Profession. The Council considered the importance of reviewing the law extensively by legal advisors, doctors and specialists, provided that the National Health Regulatory Authority undertakes coordination and submits a proposal in this regard, after consulting with all concerned parties.
At the end of the meeting, the Council reviewed the results of the recommendations of the Supreme Committee for Development and Strategic Planning, where Dr. Maryam Al-Jalahma, Chairperson of the Committee, presented a study on Bahrain's needs for medical beds from 2020 to 2025.