Alternatives for the financing of health care in Bahrain

ABSTRACT

The government of Bahrain provides free comprehensive care to the citizens of Bahrain. It is not within the capacity of the ministry of health to keep up with the financial resources required for the demands of increasing population. The government provides 91% of hospital care and 84% of ambulatory care. The total health expenditure in 1989 was 63 million Bahraini dinars [U.S.$ 167 million] of which B.D.39 million [62%] was provided by the government and the rest by the private sector. The total per capita health expenditure was B.D.129 [U.S.$ 341]. The B.D.39 million government expenditure accounted for 7.2%of total government expenditure for all sectors. The main source of revenue for the government is oil which accounts for 52.3% of its income. The revenue from the health sector constituted 6.4% of the total health expenditure in 1988. necessary steps are to be taken to improve efficiency of the present system of care and release funds that can be utilized to finance health programmes. Social health insurance is a feasible means of financing and organizing health care. A suitable target for such scheme is the non Bahraini work force. The private sector could be utilized to finance and provide health care in accordance with the Bahrain health plan. External donation is useful in building facilities provided the running cost is taken into consideration. External donation. External donations should be limited to areas that are in line with the plan of the ministry of health and those that fulfil its requirements