MP Zainab Abdulameer has raised concerns about the ongoing closure of a private hospital in Bahrain, which has left 36 Bahraini employees without salaries for two and a half months. The closure has also left countless patients in disarray, as they have already paid for their treatment upfront. Abdulameer, who chairs the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee in the Council of Representatives, is pushing for a quick resolution to the salary issue by liaising with the Ministry of Labour and the Labour Minister.
The closure of the hospital has not only affected the employees but also the patients who were in the midst of their treatment. Unable to provide refunds or continue treatment due to financial troubles, the hospital has left patients in a difficult position. The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) visited the hospital last Wednesday and instructed the management to pull all promotional materials and advertisements for its services, adding to the concerns surrounding the situation.
The hospital, which began operations in Bahrain in 2019, is primarily owned by Amanat Holdings (80%) and Osool Asset Management (20%), the investment arm of the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO). Abdulameer highlighted that the pension fund has incurred losses from various unprofitable ventures, with this hospital being the latest example, having shut down in under five years. This ongoing issue has raised questions about the management and financial stability of the hospital and its owners.
The closure of the hospital has left the Bahraini employees, both full-time and part-time, without a source of income for over two months. Abdulameer’s efforts to resolve the salary issue are crucial in ensuring that these employees are compensated for their work. Additionally, the plight of the patients who were left without proper care mid-treatment highlights the need for proper oversight and regulations in the healthcare sector to prevent such situations from occurring in the future.
As the closure of the hospital continues to drag on, it is imperative that the relevant authorities take swift action to address the concerns raised by Abdulameer and others. The impact of the closure on both employees and patients underscores the broader implications of financial mismanagement and the need for stricter regulations in the healthcare industry. By working together with the Ministry of Labour and other stakeholders, Abdulameer is advocating for a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of those affected by the closure of the hospital.
In conclusion, the ongoing closure of the private hospital in Bahrain has shed light on the challenges faced by employees and patients in the healthcare sector. Abdulameer’s efforts to push for a quick resolution to the salary issue and to address the concerns raised by the closure are essential in ensuring that the affected individuals receive the support and compensation they deserve. Moving forward, it is crucial for authorities and stakeholders to work together to prevent similar situations from occurring and to uphold the standards of care and accountability in the healthcare industry.
