Epidemics in Bahrain from 1925 to 1965 an historical perspective part 11 of 3 parts

ABSTRACT

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands located in the Arabian Gulf. In the second in a three part series, the authors describe the epidemics that occurred in Bahrain between 1925-1965, as well as the changing role of health care services on the islands. Medical services in Bahrain began in 1900 with two non-governmental hospitals viz the American Mission Hospital and Victoria Memorial Hospital. The latter was run by a Government of India doctor, who was also the Quarantine Medical Officer. The Awali Hospital who built in 1935. The first Government of Bahrain doctor [Dr. A. Bhandarkar] was appointed in 1925 and served at the Muharraq Dispensary. The Public Health Department was started in 1951 with Dr. Grant as Quarantine Medical Officer. During this period, epidemics of mumps, smallpox, typhoid fever, influenza, and gastroenteritis were recorded. The two leading diseases that were rampant in this period were malaria and trachoma