DIABETES PROBLEM GROWING IN BAHRAIN; GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING MEDICAL TOURISM

According to local press reports in Bahrain, there is a feeling that many health problems in the Middle East are being exported from Western Europe and the US. A particular problem is the growing prevalence of "junk food" coupled with sedentary lifestyles. As a result, the region is facing epidemics in obesity and related conditions, such as diabetes and cardiac diseases.

However, doctors have praised the Bahrain government's attempts to address the issue through extensive education programmes warning of the danger of poor diet and exercise regimes. According to the World Health Organisation, diabetes affects more than 25.5% of the Bahraini population, this compares to a figure of 6.2% in the US.

Meanwhile, Bahrain is considering establishing an autonomous medical council tasked with protecting the rights of patients and enhancing health services in the country. The bill aims to help prevent errors at private and public hospitals and is designed to help Bahrain boost its status as a hub for health tourism in the region.

Some of the new policies will include renewing licenses for doctors every five years, while private hospitals and pharmacies would have to renew licenses every year. The council will also monitor poorly performing health institutions as well as those with high treatment costs.