The Bahraini Parliament has recently taken a step towards fairer healthcare for all by calling on the country’s health regulator to address the high fees charged by private hospitals. MP Maryam Al Dhaen led the proposal, accusing some institutions of creating a false image of quality by inflating costs. She emphasized the dangers of setting prices artificially high or low, as this can mislead patients about the quality of care they are receiving.
Al Dhaen highlighted the link between high costs and perceived high standards in patients’ minds, arguing that this illusion of quality needs to be dispelled. She urged the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) to monitor private healthcare fees to ensure that they are fair and accessible to all citizens. Many people opt for private care due to long waits at public hospitals, only to be burdened by exorbitant costs.
Dr Ammar Alanaisi, CEO of Taj Medical Group, provided insight from the private sector, noting the impact of recent regulatory price cuts on competition and standards of care. He cautioned against hospitals lowering fees to unsustainable levels in a bid to dominate the market, which could compromise quality. He suggested involving civil society groups in healthcare policy-making to help ensure that care remains accessible, especially for those with limited means.
With the upcoming insurance scheme expected to alleviate some of the financial burden on patients, Dr Alanaisi expressed hope for its success. However, he warned against larger hospitals monopolizing options and emphasized the importance of oversight on what private hospitals charge. The approved proposal calls on NHRA to ensure that healthcare remains fair and accessible without imposing undue financial burdens on citizens.
Dr Alanaisi voiced his support for regulation and tighter oversight on certain services, noting that it should be based on carefully reviewed standards to maintain service quality. He stressed the need for robust criteria to prevent stifling the sector while ensuring effective oversight. By involving stakeholders in healthcare policy-making and monitoring private healthcare fees, Bahrain aims to create a healthcare system that is fair and accessible to all its citizens.
