2011 Bahrain Country Commercial Guide - US - Export.gov

Medical Equipment/Healthcare
Overview Return to top
Medical Equipment 2008
2009
2010
(Actual) * (Actual) * (Estimate) *
Total Market Size 70 72 75
Total Local Production 0 0 0
Total Exports 0 0 0
Total Imports 70 72 75
Imports from U.S. 13.8 14.1 14.4
*In USD$ millions Source: Bahrain Central Informatics Organization
Bahrain has a modern health system. All Bahrainis receive free state health care. Most
companies offer their expatriate workers some sort of health coverage, either through
insurance companies, in which case rates are negotiable, or through arrangements with
one or more of the local private hospitals. There is an $8 fee for expatriates attending
an emergency clinic in a government hospital. In 2006, Bahrain‘s health services sector
showed significant growth, which is likely to continue. Construction of the $120 million
King Hamad Hospital in Muharraq which was opened in January 2012. .
The Government of Bahrain encourages the private sector to enter the health care
market and thus share the cost of services. It is also drawing up plans to attract
international hospitals in order to promote health tourism. The Government encourages
the private sector to play a greater role in the healthcare industry. The Bahrain
Development Bank (BDB) assists the healthcare sector through loans, totaling $17
million in 2010. A "medical city" is under development as part of a $114 million
investment by Ithmaar Investment Bank-- the reclaimed land near Amwaj Island is
already under contract.
Best Prospects Return to top
Current plans for the health services sector include the construction of a third large
public hospital, the King Hamad Hospital in Muharraq, which opened in January 2012.
The Royal College of Surgeons will use the medical facilities as a learning hospital. In
the private sector, the Boston-based Joslin Diabetes Center (JDC) constructed its first
facility outside the United States in Bahrain in 2003. In 2004 the JDC expanded the
facility due to increased demand for diabetes treatment in Bahrain and the Gulf. The
Ministry of Health‘s 2011/2012 budget includes funding for the construction of a new
Genetic Disease Research Center, a new hospital in the Central Governorate, and
additional clinics in highly populated areas in the Northern Governorate.
Opportunities Return to top
In 2010, the largest hospital in Bahrain – the state-run Salmaniya Medical Complex –
spent $9.8 million to replace its medical equipment. It is looking to replace patient vitalsign
monitors, infant incubators, ventilators, infusion pumps, and also to acquire a deep
X-ray therapy machine.
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