As with other GCC countries, it has a mix of public and private hospitals. Expatriates can attend either, but have to pay at both, so health insurance is recommended although not yet compulsory. This is set to change, however, with Bahrain expected to enforce insurance cover for large companies very soon. According to the government’s 2010-14 health improvement strategy, expatriate health insurance will be made compulsory in 2014. Rates on cover are much more competitive through corporate entities, so expatriates are advised to seek insurance through their employers. Only Bahrain-based firms are allowed to sell policies, which means brokers often sell policies on behalf of major firms. The UK’s Bupa health insurance, for example, is sold through local broker Al-Ahlia Insurance Company.

Expatriates seeking medical treatment can visit one of 16 private or five public hospitals in the kingdom. However, some insurers stipulate which facilities can be used. Similarly, hospitals will state which insurance policies they accept. For example, the oldest hospital still treating patients today, the American Mission Hospital – which opened in 1902 – takes payment from 15 approved insurance companies. Other respected private hospitals include the Royal Bahrain Hospital, Bahrain Specialist Hospital and the Awali Hospital, owned by Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco).

In the public sector, the largest hospital is the 1,200-bed Salmaniya Medical Complex, which opened in 1978 and is the kingdom’s only public sector secondary and tertiary facility. Other major public hospitals include the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital and the new King Hamad University Hospital.

Bahrain also has a network of 22 primary healthcare facilities that expatriates can attend for just BD3 ($8) a visit. However, these tend to be overcrowded.

Looking to the future, Bahrain has ambitions of becoming a health tourism destination at the same time as improving primary healthcare facilities. A new medical city attached to the Arabian Gulf University is under way thanks to a SR1bn ($267m) grant from Saudi Arabia, and plans for a health island resort moved forward in March 2013 with a construction contract awarded to the local Cebarco.