The Shura Council, the upper house of the National Assembly, has passed a proposal to make professional liability insurance compulsory in the healthcare industry.
The council also proposes that medical malpractice complaints in Bahrain be handled by a committee to be named the Supreme Medical Liability Committee before proceeding to court. This body will assess malpractice cases and advise on potential prosecutions, according to the information website, newsofbahrain.com.
The proposal consolidates existing regulations on medical liability and has been referred to the government for review and formal drafting.
Services Committee rapporteur Dr Ibtisam Al Dallal said, “A well-defined liability law reassures investors by creating a stable legal foundation.” The proposal “establishes clear legal principles on rights, responsibilities, and accountability for everyone in the medical field while keeping pace with advances in modern healthcare.”
However, the Supreme Council of Health, the Ministry of Health, and the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) have expressed concerns, arguing that Bahrain already has malpractice liability laws, warning that introducing overlapping regulations could create legal complications.
Financial concerns have also been raised. The Finance and Economic Affairs Committee cautioned that mandatory malpractice insurance could lead to financial strain on hospitals, clinics and government coffers.