Bahrain's mandatory health insurance for resident workers takes effect, excluding domestic and government staff

Bahrain's mandatory health insurance scheme for resident workers started on Saturday 31 October. Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, chairman of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), announced the start, Arabian Business and the Gulf Daily News reported. The SCH says the programme will regulate how eligible residents get access to healthcare.

The scheme links health cover to the procedures for issuing and renewing work and residence permits; the SCH says this is to make enrolment simpler and keep cover continuous. The mandatory package includes primary and secondary care, emergency treatment and care after accidents, within the benefits and rules set for the residents' package. Optional packages with more benefits will also be available to individuals and employers, Arabian Business reported.

Three groups are outside the programme: domestic workers, residents who work for government entities, and the dependants of those residents. Healthcare for Bahraini citizens does not change. According to Arabian Business, the announcement did not give premium levels, who pays, or detailed enrolment steps. The SCH said more details on eligibility, benefits and procedures will come through official channels.

The SCH chairman said the scheme should help Bahrain use healthcare resources more efficiently, strengthen partnerships with private providers and give patients more choice. The programme is part of the kingdom's wider health reforms under Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.