MPs have unanimously approved a significant law mandating a minimum 50% Bahrainisation of jobs in private hospitals, clinics, and medical centres in Bahrain. The amendments to the 2015 Private Medical Establishments Law will now move to the Shura Council for review.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed, who oversees the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), highlighted ongoing efforts to boost Bahraini representation in the private healthcare sector. “We offer incentives for private medical establishments to hire qualified Bahraini professionals,” she stated during a parliamentary debate. “Our aim is to support Bahraini medics in progressing within the sector and increase national recruitment.”
Bahrain’s Primary Healthcare facilities are already fully Bahrainised, with further plans to integrate more skilled Bahraini medics. Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan, also the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) board chairman, mentioned that NHRA rules prevent the hiring of expatriate medics if a qualified Bahraini candidate is available. “There are 970 Bahraini medical jobseekers, with 480 set to receive targeted training,” he added.
The government clarified that Bahrainis are prioritised in private healthcare hiring but warned that a strict 50 percent quota could limit service delivery if there aren’t enough qualified Bahraini specialists. They also raised concerns about operational flexibility and potential impacts on emergency responses and investment appeal.
The Supreme Council for Health (SCH) asked MPs to delay implementation until a thorough study ensures an adequate supply of Bahraini professionals across specialties.
NHRA chief executive Dr Ahmed Al Ansari shared data showing Bahrain has 22,060 licensed medical professionals, including 4,723 doctors and 9,914 nurses, across 73 private clinics, 325 medical centres, and 24 hospitals. He noted the shortage of Bahraini specialists in emerging fields such as nuclear radiology, dermatology surgery, and toxicology, and listed advanced areas where local expertise is lacking.
Parliament’s services committee chairwoman, Jalila Al Sayed, clarified that the quota is flexible and will be adjusted based on NHRA and LMRA assessments, with expat medic licences reviewed upon renewal.
Additionally, MPs approved a proposal by Dr Ali Al Nuaimi to lower the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution’s (BCDR) case threshold from BD500,000 to BD100,000, despite BCDR’s concerns. They also endorsed amendments to the 2021 Civil and Commercial Procedures’ Execution Law, aiming to establish a judicial committee for individual deportation cases. The Justice Ministry declined to comment. Both proposals will be drafted into law within six months.
