Responsive image

eTransformation and Sustainable Development

The Kingdom of Bahrain enjoys an advanced level of health services. There has been a significant improvement in health over the past decades, due to the Government's strong commitment to comprehensive health coverage, access to clean water and sanitation services, access to basic health services and free provision of medicines for the entire population.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has also succeeded in achieving all the health-related Millennium Development Goals. Successes include a significant increase in life expectancy at birth, with life expectancy for all sexes rising from 72.9 years in 2000 to 77.2 years in 2015. The crude mortality rate (per 1000 population) has dropped from 3 in 2000 to 2.1 in 2015. The Neonatal mortality rate in Bahrain has improved significantly in recent decades, reaching 3.6 per 1000 live births in 2017, and the infant mortality rate Under the age of five (per 1000 children under 5 years), from 11.4 in 2000 to 7.9 in 2017. The Kingdom's considerable attention to the promotion of maternal and child health in primary and secondary care has contributed significantly in this reduction. The maternal mortality rate ( 14.6 per 100,000 live births 2017) is among the lowest in the world, where most births occur in hospitals, whether governmental or private.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the countries that have approved the new plan, "Transforming Our World: Sustainable Development Plan 2030", which consists of 17 sustainable development objectives and 169 targets. The Kingdom of Bahrain was able to achieve advanced positions in the goals of sustainable development.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has taken effective steps in the early detection and control of infectious diseases. Many of these diseases are under control. No cases of diphtheria, neonatal tetanus or poliomyelitis have been reported since 1990. No endemic cases of Measles have been reported for 3 years.

The rate HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B cases is one of the lowest in the world.

According to the global epidemiological trend, the Kingdom of Bahrain has managed to control infectious diseases but the kingdom exhibited a clear shift from infectious diseases to non-communicable chronic diseases. This shift represents an increasing economic burden on health care financing. According to SDG , GOAL 3 Report 2017, the main cause of death in Bahrain is cardiovascular disease, a trend that has not changed since the 1970s. Deaths from cardiovascular diseases were recorded at 85 per 100,000 population. Cancer is the second leading cause of death (29.38 per 100,000 population). Out-of-morbidity mortality (including road accident deaths) is the third leading cause of death (Death rate due to road traffic injuries accounts for 4.9 per 100,000 population).

Despite the recent progress in the treatment of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors, the National Health Survey found in 2007 that the prevalence of high blood pressure was 38.2%, and about 14.3% of the population had diabetes and 40.6% had hyperthyroidism High blood fat, overweight and obesity increased by 36.3%, in addition to smoking, lifestyle and dietary habits.


Health and Sustainable Development Goals

The adoption of the National Health Plan for the years 2016-2025 confirms that Bahrain is moving towards its international commitment with the World Health Organization to achieve target 3.8 of the third goal of sustainable development goals to achieve universal health coverage for all. The Kingdom of Bahrain has succeeded in achieving all the health-related Millennium Development Goals as it had approved the new plan, "Transforming Our World: Sustainable Development Plan 2030", which consists of 17 objectives and 169 targets, reaching an advanced position in achieving required indicators.

Ministry of Health is working currently on many important initiatives, including the development of preventive health care programs, promotion of healthy lifestyles among all population groups through national awareness programs , the development of public health laboratories, and the integration of health care services throughout the Kingdom .These initiatives which are included in the health strategy are also in line with the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030. The Ministry of Health provides modern, advanced and free preventive, treatments and rehabilitation services to all citizens and ensures the provision of high quality evidence based accredited services.

In relation to the third goal of sustainable development goals which is to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” Ministry of Health acquired high positions in achieving required indicators. The life expectancy rate at birth for all sexes rose to 77.2 in 2015, the mortality rate per 1000 population declined to 2.1, and the Neonatal mortality rate in Bahrain has improved significantly reaching 3.6 per 1000 live births in 2017,. the infant mortality rate Under the age of five (per 1000 children under 5 years), dropped from 11.4 in 2000 to 7.9 in 2017.

The Ministry of Health is working hard to achieve comprehensive health coverage for all the citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain under His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s leadership. Kingdom of Bahrain has also achieved excellence and leadership and has demonstrated its efficiency through the indicators and health status in the Kingdom. These gains are an honor to us to promote the health of the individual and society and to ensure the provision of quality, integrated, equitable, sustainable and accessible health services to all individuals.

rating - 1 starrating - 2 starrating - 3 starrating - 4 starrating - 5 star