Healthcare in Bahrain
According to a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), healthcare in Bahrain has greatly improved over the last three decades. Expats will find a solid healthcare infrastructure with options for treatment in the public, quasi-public, philanthropic 
and private sectors. The island supports four state-sponsored hospitals, three private institutions and an assortment of clinics and maternity hospitals.
When compared to other nations in the region, Bahrain has one of the largest health expenditures and is among the healthiest countries in the Gulf.
That being said, the healthcare system in Bahrain still faces challenges. The economic boom has inspired a large population influx and the nation must now take steps to address the high numbers of expats and migrant workers that have come to set up home in the archipelago.
Furthermore, though many health workers are in fact foreigners or have been trained overseas, and do speak English, there still may be a language barrier to overcome if expats find themselves in an emergency circumstance.
Bahrain has taken steps to provide nationals with free and heavily subsided healthcare. Expats are also privy to this service, and merely need to obtain a Population Registration Card (CPR) in order to take advantage. That said, services - including emergency services - are not free for expats.
Though growing rapidly, the nation's small population means that long queues or delayed appointment times are a rarity in Bahrain.
There are many good small public facilities in the area, although Salmaniya Hospital in Manama is by far the best equipped and has all the services expected of a top world hospital. In the case of an emergency, even if you subscribe to private healthcare, this is often the best choice for treatment.
Though expats have access to the public system in Bahrain, most opt to take out private medical insurance and to use private facilities. Furthermore, though the standard of care can be excellent in Bahrain, specialist treatment centres may be limited and it may be necessary to seek care outside of the country.
For this reason, expats should ensure they obtain comprehensive health insurance, including medical evacuation insurance. Expat assignees moving to Bahrain with a contract in hand should try their best to negotiate health insurance as part of their expat package. Though this is not commonplace, it is still worth the extra effort.
Legally, both international players and small-scale service providers need a local partner in order to sell health insurance in Bahrain. That said, expats are still able to purchase packages from international providers as long as they do so outside of Bahrain - prior to departure, or via online agents.
Aviva International Solutions and IMG Global offer comprehensive packages at reasonable prices.
Private hospitals used most often by expatriates are Awali Hospital, International Hospital of Bahrain, American Mission Hospital (AMH), the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital (BDF) or Bahrain Specialist Hospital, each provide GP services to expats.
In 2007 Bahrain released plans to construct Health Island, a large-scale development built on reclaimed land designed to turn the country into a regional hub for health tourism.
The centre would include a diagnostic centre, diabetes centre, alternative medicine centre, nutrition centre, aesthetic surgery centre, sports medicine centre, women and children’s centre, deluxe spas, boutique hotels, apartments, condominium, villas, and luxury residences.
As of 2010, the island was still under construction; but upon its completion, it could further revolutionise the standard of care in the region.
and private sectors. The island supports four state-sponsored hospitals, three private institutions and an assortment of clinics and maternity hospitals.When compared to other nations in the region, Bahrain has one of the largest health expenditures and is among the healthiest countries in the Gulf.
That being said, the healthcare system in Bahrain still faces challenges. The economic boom has inspired a large population influx and the nation must now take steps to address the high numbers of expats and migrant workers that have come to set up home in the archipelago.
Furthermore, though many health workers are in fact foreigners or have been trained overseas, and do speak English, there still may be a language barrier to overcome if expats find themselves in an emergency circumstance.
Public healthcare in Bahrain
Bahrain has taken steps to provide nationals with free and heavily subsided healthcare. Expats are also privy to this service, and merely need to obtain a Population Registration Card (CPR) in order to take advantage. That said, services - including emergency services - are not free for expats.
Though growing rapidly, the nation's small population means that long queues or delayed appointment times are a rarity in Bahrain.
There are many good small public facilities in the area, although Salmaniya Hospital in Manama is by far the best equipped and has all the services expected of a top world hospital. In the case of an emergency, even if you subscribe to private healthcare, this is often the best choice for treatment.
Private healthcare and health insurance in Bahrain
Though expats have access to the public system in Bahrain, most opt to take out private medical insurance and to use private facilities. Furthermore, though the standard of care can be excellent in Bahrain, specialist treatment centres may be limited and it may be necessary to seek care outside of the country.
Health insurance in Bahrain
For this reason, expats should ensure they obtain comprehensive health insurance, including medical evacuation insurance. Expat assignees moving to Bahrain with a contract in hand should try their best to negotiate health insurance as part of their expat package. Though this is not commonplace, it is still worth the extra effort.
Aviva International Solutions and IMG Global offer comprehensive packages at reasonable prices.
Private hospitals used most often by expatriates are Awali Hospital, International Hospital of Bahrain, American Mission Hospital (AMH), the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital (BDF) or Bahrain Specialist Hospital, each provide GP services to expats.
Health tourism
In 2007 Bahrain released plans to construct Health Island, a large-scale development built on reclaimed land designed to turn the country into a regional hub for health tourism.
The centre would include a diagnostic centre, diabetes centre, alternative medicine centre, nutrition centre, aesthetic surgery centre, sports medicine centre, women and children’s centre, deluxe spas, boutique hotels, apartments, condominium, villas, and luxury residences.
As of 2010, the island was still under construction; but upon its completion, it could further revolutionise the standard of care in the region.
