laws

The given law, Bahrain Decision No. 26/2016, focuses on the evaluation and accreditation of private hospitals in Bahrain. It establishes four categories for accreditation based on the percentage of total evaluation grades achieved by the hospitals. These categories are: (A) Diamond for hospitals achieving 95% or more, (B) Platinum for hospitals achieving no less than 90% and less than 95%, (C) Gold for hospitals achieving no less than 80% and less than 90%, and (D) Silver for hospitals achieving no less than 70% and less than 80%. The law outlines the evaluation process, which is conducted annually throughout the validity period of the accreditation. The first evaluation is comprehensive and its findings determine the degree of accreditation, which is valid for three years. The National Health Regulatory Authority follows up on the evaluation during the two years following accreditation to ensure the hospital's continued adherence to the evaluation criteria. To carry out the evaluation and accreditation tasks, the law establishes the Evaluation Accreditation and Technical Survey Committee within the Authority. The committee's formation, work mechanism, and appeal process are determined by a resolution of the Authority's CEO. External experts and specialists may be enlisted as committee members. In case a licensed private hospital fails to achieve a minimum of 70% in the evaluation, it must reapply to the Authority and settle its situation within a maximum of six months from the first evaluation. Failure to apply or achieve the required ratio in the second evaluation will result in non-renewal of the hospital's license. The law is implemented by the CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority and became effective on November 1, 2016, as published in the Official Gazette. It was issued by Lieutenant Doctor Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, on 1 Safar 1438 H.