22,000+ Surgeries and 7,600+ Births: Bahrain Hospitals in High Gear
Dr. Mariam Athbi Al Jalahma, Chief Executive Officer of Government Hospitals, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to advancing healthcare services and optimizing available resources to support the health sector and serve the community. Her remarks came during a tour with editors-in-chief of local newspapers, aimed at highlighting key achievements of government hospitals in 2024.
Dr. Al Jalahma praised the vital role played by the national press as an active member of Team Bahrain, emphasizing its contribution to showcasing national achievements across various sectors.
She revealed that government hospitals have successfully implemented 80% of their self-management plan, a strategic initiative designed to enhance operational efficiency. Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) recorded an average bed occupancy rate of 80%, and 90% in intensive care units, reflecting the high operational capacity of these facilities.
In the field of medical training and professional development, Dr. Al Jalahma reported that 46 doctors were sent abroad for specialized fellowship programs, while 304 doctors enrolled in various board certification programs. Additionally, 1,509 nurses received training across different nursing specialties, significantly boosting the competency of national medical staff.
During 2024, government hospitals received over 1.2 million visits, including more than 400,000 visits to the emergency department at SMC and over 509,000 visits to outpatient clinics. Bahrainis accounted for 82% of the total patients served.
The hospitals conducted more than 20.4 million laboratory tests and over 316,000 radiology exams throughout the year. In addition, 22,944 surgical operations and 7,670 childbirth cases were recorded, highlighting the institutions' critical role in providing daily healthcare services.
To expand service capacity, 56 additional beds were made operational, along with specialized units such as a short-stay unit for women with sickle cell anemia and a biological treatment unit. A dedicated psychiatric emergency wing was also introduced, signaling a move toward more specialized and integrated health services.
Government hospitals earned several national and international accreditations in 2024. Notably, SMC was designated as an official examination center for the UK's Royal College of Physicians fellowship exams. The institution also secured Australian accreditation, ISO certification for its laboratory, and national accreditation from the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) with a platinum rating. Additionally, it received institutional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and won three patient safety awards from the Arab Hospitals Federation.
As part of Bahrain's initiative to modernize 500 government services, 23 new e-services were launched. These included services related to sick leave documentation, medical report requests, appointment changes, and remote consultation clinics at correctional and rehabilitation centers.
On the performance improvement front, 145 development projects were implemented, 47 key performance indicators (KPIs) were monitored, and advanced mechanisms for risk management and clinical auditing were introduced. The hospitals also inaugurated a strategic planning and project management department, along with a digital dashboard to track KPIs—steps aimed at bolstering institutional efficiency and oversight.
These advancements underscore the continued evolution of government healthcare in Bahrain, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care aligned with national development goals.
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Dr. Mariam Athbi Al Jalahma, Chief Executive Officer of Government Hospitals, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to advancing healthcare services and optimizing available resources to support the health sector and serve the community. Her remarks came during a tour with editors-in-chief of local newspapers, aimed at highlighting key achievements of government hospitals in 2024. Dr. Al Jalahma praised the vital role played by the national press as an active member of Team Bahrain, emphasizing its contribution to showcasing national achievements across various sectors. She revealed that government hospitals have successfully implemented 80% of their self-management plan, a strategic initiative designed to enhance operational efficiency. Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) recorded an average bed occupancy rate of 80%, and 90% in intensive care units, reflecting the high operational capacity of these facilities. In the field of medical training and professional development, Dr. Al Jalahma reported that 46 doctors were sent abroad for specialized fellowship programs, while 304 doctors enrolled in various board certification programs. Additionally, 1,509 nurses received training across different nursing specialties, significantly boosting the competency of national medical staff. During 2024, government hospitals received over 1.2 million visits, including more than 400,000 visits to the emergency department at SMC and over 509,000 visits to outpatient clinics. Bahrainis accounted for 82% of the total patients served. The hospitals conducted more than 20.4 million laboratory tests and over 316,000 radiology exams throughout the year. In addition, 22,944 surgical operations and 7,670 childbirth cases were recorded, highlighting the institutions' critical role in providing daily healthcare services. To expand service capacity, 56 additional beds were made operational, along with specialized units such as a short-stay unit for women with sickle cell anemia and a biological treatment unit. A dedicated psychiatric emergency wing was also introduced, signaling a move toward more specialized and integrated health services. Government hospitals earned several national and international accreditations in 2024. Notably, SMC was designated as an official examination center for the UK's Royal College of Physicians fellowship exams. The institution also secured Australian accreditation, ISO certification for its laboratory, and national accreditation from the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) with a platinum rating. Additionally, it received institutional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and won three patient safety awards from the Arab Hospitals Federation. As part of Bahrain's initiative to modernize 500 government services, 23 new e-services were launched. These included services related to sick leave documentation, medical report requests, appointment changes, and remote consultation clinics at correctional and rehabilitation centers. On the performance improvement front, 145 development projects were implemented, 47 key performance indicators (KPIs) were monitored, and advanced mechanisms for risk management and clinical auditing were introduced. The hospitals also inaugurated a strategic planning and project management department, along with a digital dashboard to track KPIs—steps aimed at bolstering institutional efficiency and oversight. These advancements underscore the continued evolution of government healthcare in Bahrain, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care aligned with national development goals.
