Bahrain : Complete Profile - What is GIS - World Health Organization

Health Systems Profile-Bahrain
Regional Health Systems Observatory- EMRO
Formal policy and planning structures, and scope of responsibilities
In 2006 approval was granted from the Civil Service Bureau to restructure the planning
unit which was of limited capacity into a full directorate; the Directorate of Health
planning. It will reports to the Assistant Undersecretary Secretary of Planning and
Training. This was done upon adopting the recommendation of a WHO consultative
report in 2005.
The new directorate will be responsible for leading planning initiatives and coordinating
plans implementation. It will also evolve to be an advisory body to decision makers
though producing evidences for top authority to be able to make informed decisions.
Major challenge for the new structure is to establish and strengthen health policy
function.
Analysis of plans
The development of current Bahrain Health Strategy started with a review of previous
health plans, review of stated goals and targets as well as achievements made during
previous plans period. Analysis revealed that the previous orientation towards facilities
and disease should be changed toward organizational development and improvements.
The aim is to improve the overall health system performance in the country. Thus the
new document which represents the Bahrain heath strategy for the period of 2002-2010
was designed as a framework for action toward organizational development. Analytical
process was used in the development of Bahrain Health strategy. Activities included
analysis of relevant documents, interviews with key stakeholders and consultative
workshops.
With the new capacity for the directorate of planning it is aimed that scientific ans
systematic analytical tools will be adopted and utilized for evidence based planning and
decision making.
Key legal and other regulatory instruments and bodies: operation and
any recent changes
The Ministry of Health has a legal affairs office that reports directly to the Minister. The
office looks after the initiation, revision, and Development of laws and policies relevant
to health care system at the national level. It is also responsible for all the legal issues
relevant to health whether it is within or outside the Ministry of Health.
Regulation role of the Ministry of Health is yet to be developed. The office of Licensure
and Registrations provides license for new health establishment, private sector’s
physician, nurses, and other Allied health professionals. A plan has been developed to
strengthen the role of the office to assume its full responsibility including more
regulation more vigorous licensing and re-licensing process, inspection, monitoring as
well as dealing with public complaints. The work is directed toward establishing an
independent regulatory authority that will act independently but with oversight from the
Minister of Health.
Since the establishment of the health care system in its modern form, attention has
been paid to laws to regulate and discipline the system. Currently there are several laws
related to heath care sector. These include; Laws of Death and Birth Registration, Drug
Control, Public Health Law, Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Monitoring of
Imported Food Stuff, Private Hospitals Law, Licensing of Pharmacy and Allied Health
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