With restoration of all medical services and normalcy of work at the Bahrain’s largest medical service provider, the authorities are still investigating as many as 180 cases against staff members at the Salmanyia Medical Complex (SMC), the acting Minister of Health revealed on Monday.
The Minister of Social Development and the acting Minister of Health Dr Fatima Al Balushi said that during the investigations the administrative, medical and other staff members have been found for hatching conspiracy against the Government and national interests at the SMC during the recent unrest in the country.
Addressing a Press Conference held at the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) media centre, the Minister said that apart using SMC and using it as a command and control centre during protests by the staff the Government also discovered many weapons of different kinds including sharp metal objects.
The Minister assured that all medical services at the SMC and medical centres have been restored since many days and the SMC and network of health services in the Kingdom working normally.
She said that preliminary investigations revealed that the SMC was being used as a transmission base for spreading false news against Bahrain.
“At the same a lot of hospital assets were also stolen from various sections including the stores and the Government would be very transparent about all the evidences.
The Ministry of Health denied paying any overtime to those employees who left their duties and participated in the protests instead. They officials confirmed that the statistics were available for each Health Ministry employee including the attendance during the protests.
Dr Al Balushi said that the investigation committee was still carrying out its pending inquires and upon collection all the evidences would be notified to the public prosecutor.
“Addressing some issues experienced by health services in Bahrain during February and March, I would like to note that the Ministry’s Investigations Committee has taken action, under Ministerial decree no. 8 for 2011, against staff whose actions during this period appeared to contravene regulations and state laws regarding their professional duties,” she said.
“The investigation committee unanimously agreed to suspend 30 staff, doctors and nurses, pending the completion of the investigation.”
Dr Al Balushi said that there have been no impact on delivery of health services whatsoever due to the suspension of medical staff.
“I would like to make clear that the Ministry of Health employs approximately 9500 people.”
The Ministry, she added, also formed a committee to undertake an inventory of all medical equipments and devices.
“Any irregularities following the completion of this inventory and stock check will be reported to the Investigations Committee for further action.
“Recent events in Bahrain have taught us many lessons, and I believe it has given the strength and resilience to provide even stronger services in the country.
“Today, I stand before you, and trust that you will deliver this message candidly and honestly, to assert my intention to fully restore public confidence in Bahrain’s health services and the facilities under the responsibility of this ministry. We have never spared any effort to provide the best possible service to citizens and residents in Bahrain.”
Dr AI Balushi reconfirmed that all health services in SMC and in primary health care across Bahrain are fully operational.
“All citizens and residents can take advantage of these services without discrimination. “I can assure you all that all medical staff and ministry staff will at all time provide a professional service, based on principles of humanity, honesty, sincerity, dedication and professionalism.”
“All health services within the SMC are functioning normally according to the hospital’s key performance indicators, including volume of work and frequency of patients.
The Ministry is working together to ensure full access to all who require critical diagnosis and treatment services. As appropriate, priority is being given to those conditions which are particularly severe and require special care, such as kidney dialysis and cancer therapy. Operations are continuing without any operational delays or cancellations, although some patients have chosen to defer non-emergency treatments for personal reasons.
“Sickle cell patients are currently in the Kanoo Center and receive all necessary treatment under the supervision of medical staff. With regard to a planned expansion, work has resumed following postponements during February and March, for example the Kanoo dialysis unit in Muharraq is close to completion now and we hope to open the unit within the next two months.”
At the present time, Hamad Kanoo Health Centre and Muharrq Northern Health Centre are open 24 hours. Health centres in Sitra, Isa Town, Naim, Nuwaidrat, Jidhafs and Bilad Alqadeem are open from 7am to 10.15pm. All remaining health centres are open from7am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm.
“There is a plan to introduce emergency services at some health centres in order to relieve some pressure on the Accident and Emergency department at the SMC. Each governorate will be provided with ambulance fleets affiliated to the selected health centre and health centres will be staffed with doctors and nurses trained in emergency medical procedures,” she explained.
“Over the past two years, the Ministry of Health has seen extraordinary progress in the provision of health services to citizens and residents in Bahrain based on guidance laid down by the Government. In line with the Economic Vision 2030, the Ministry of Health has received significant support in terms of budgets and projects approvals. This has enabled the Ministry to meet its set targets during this year.
“Challenges are always present for any Ministry involved in frontline public service and it is during difficult times that you gain the strength and resolve to minimise damage and ensure that the key lessons are learnt to improve the services for all. Unquestionably, trust in our health service, for all who require it, is a pre-requisite for continuity and reliability of service.”
