Bahrain’s medical and health tourism strategy

Bahrain considers that it may seek to become a regional medical tourism destination, but not for a few years. With the low price of oil forcing the government of Bahrain to curtail spending and put some long-term projects on hold, it is looking for new income streams.

After many years of talk but no action, Bahrain considers that it may seek to become a regional medical tourism destination- but not for a few years.

Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has issued directives to ministries and state departments to implement several development and service projects included in the latest government action plan.

One project is to see how the kingdom can become a regional centre for medical tourism, by the government and private health sector working together.

To consider both medical and wellness tourism the Minister of Health has been tasked with submitting a report and action plan by 2016.

The government’s strategy on medical tourism has been widely discussed, although it has not shared findings with the private health sector or the media.

Critics argue quietly, as the Bahrain government does not tolerate any dissent on any topic relating to the government or royal rulers, that Bahrain has to do a lot more than just say “we want to promote Bahrain as a regional medical and health tourism destination’ and expect to produce quick results.

The development of the island of Dilmunia as a focus of well being for residents and visitors has been in planning for a decade. Master developer Ithmaar Development Company seeks to sell land to developers.

The $1.6-billion Dilmunia at Bahrain development is a mixed-use project built on a man-made island off the coast of Muharraq. With a proposed health and wellness anchor, Dilmunia may eventually include residences, hotels, and leisure and shopping districts anchored around a health and wellness cluster. But with the master plan only finalised in 2015,and the first houses only just built, the concept of Dilmunia Health District full of clinics and hospitals looks as far off as ever with no developers signed up,