International Hospital of Bahrain

The International Hospital of Bahrain (Abbreviation: IHB; Arabic: مستشفى البحرين الدولي ) was a private hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

International Hospital of Bahrain W.L.L.
IHB Main Reception
Geography
LocationJidhafs, Bahrain
Coordinates26°13′9″N 50°31′35″E
Organisation
TypePrivate
Services
Emergency department24-Hour Accident & Emergency
History
OpenedOctober 1978
Closed15 June 2018
Links
Websitehttp://www.ihb.net

Established in 1978 and located in Jidhafs, off the Budaiya highway, it was the second private medical center in the country after the American Mission Hospital. In 2014, a dispute emerged over unpaid wages to nurses and doctors after the hospital had an 80% decrease in patient visits.[1] In 2017, an investigation into the hospital's financial records revealed "serious financial irregularities".[2] In 2018, the National Health Regulatory Authority of Bahrain ordered the suspension of the hospital's services over "maintenance" issues highlighted in an inspection report.[3][4] As of 2019, the pay dispute was not resolved despite court rulings in the staff's favour; dozens of nurses and doctors have since resigned from the hospital.[5] Since its closure, the hospital's premises have been regularly burgled. [6]

History

The IHB started in the seventies in a small flat in the Salmaniya Highway. It was the first private clinic of Faysal Saeed Zeerah, Bahrain’s first UK-qualified Bahraini Surgeon. Zeerah, along with Dr. Ali Fakhro, the first Minister of Health, was also instrumental in designing and building Salmaniya Medical Complex. Zeerah, however, foresaw the importance of private medicine and he strongly believed in starting it. Thus, he decided to branch out and build the first private hospital in the Kingdom. The International Hospital of Bahrain WLL was then formed in October 1978, as a modest clinic with very few beds and with Mr. Zeerah as its only doctor. Dr. Reginald Hutchings later on joined as Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. Gradually the services offered expanded: Physiotherapy, a small Laboratory and later on Radiology were added.

  • Main Reception
  • IHB 24/7 accident & emergency services
  • IHB Pharmacy

References
  1. "Bahraini private hospital selling land to pay staff". www.tradearabia.com. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. Unnikrishnan, Raji. "International Hospital Bahrain 'uncovers scam' amidst pay row". Gulf Daily News. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  3. "NHRA Shuts Down Intl Hospital of Bahrain until Further Notice". Bahrain Mirror. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  4. "«المهن الصحية» تغلق مستشفى البحرين الدولي". www.akhbar-alkhaleej.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  5. Unnikrishnan, Raji. "Bahrain News: Ex-staff of International Hospital of Bahrain still not paid their dues despite court ruling". www.gdnonline.com. Gulf Daily News. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  6. Unnikrishnan, Raji. "Bahrain News: Hi-tech equipment at hospital left to rot..." www.gdnonline.com. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
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