The National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) in Bahrain has recently released its annual report, showcasing its activities and achievements over the past year. The report highlights that NHRA made 76 decisions to form committees to investigate various issues and take disciplinary actions when necessary. The Medical Complaints and Investigation Section received 358 complaints and lawsuits, with 20% found to be valid, resulting in 40 disciplinary measures against officials and medical facilities.
NHRA has also accredited around 23 hospitals and 87 medical centers within its accreditation and quality assurance framework, bringing the total number of approved health facilities in Bahrain to 110. The report states that 91% of accredited hospitals and 85% of accredited centers have implemented measures to meet the highest recommendations for primary quality standards. In the realm of medical devices and supplies, the NHRA reviewed approximately 13,000 applications for new medical devices, approving about 11,000 that met the required quality and import standards.
The Clinical Trials & CPD Regulation Section of NHRA approved 14,000 activities for continuous professional development and reviewed four applications for clinical trials, rejecting two pending amendments and clarifications. Financially, NHRA’s revenues increased from 2.6 million Bahraini dinars in 2022 to 2.85 million in the past year, covering 95% of its recurrent budget. The Investors Office received 54 inquiries from various regions, including the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Europe, and Asia, regarding potential healthcare investments, particularly for the establishment of new medical facilities.
Furthermore, the Health Facilities Regulation Section of NHRA issued 85 new facility licenses and renewed 843 existing ones, while addressing around 5,000 violations identified by inspectors. This led to a total of 924 licensed facilities in Bahrain, marking a 0.4% increase from the previous year. NHRA also issued approximately 3,600 new licenses and renewed 8,700 existing licenses for specialists and active doctors, increasing the total number of registered doctors in Bahrain.
The Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Products Regulation Section of NHRA reviewed 743 applications for new drug registrations, 509 applications for license renewals, and registered around 1,000 changes to existing medicines. Additionally, the section classified 385 pharmaceutical products, with the total number of registered medicines in Bahrain reaching 4,200. NHRA also licensed 51 new pharmacies, bringing the total number of licensed pharmacies in the country to 430.
Overall, the report also mentioned that there are 41 practitioners of alternative medicine in Bahrain, with the number of technicians in this field reaching 47. NHRA’s annual report demonstrates the significant efforts and accomplishments made by the authority in ensuring quality healthcare services and regulatory oversight in Bahrain. With a focus on accreditation, quality assurance, licensing, and regulatory compliance, NHRA plays a vital role in safeguarding public health and promoting excellence in healthcare practices across the country.
