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Health and medical systems are different in every country, and Bahrain is no different. If you’re an expat, then you must figure out a way to protect yourself from a medical standpoint. There are solutions, but it’s crucial to understand them and see what works for you here. Thankfully, Bahrain has a Universal Health Insurance, but the expats need to handle the health insurance on their own.

Compulsory Health Insurance

Residents in Bahrain will get access to healthcare services for free. In case they go for a private clinic, they are still subsidized 60%. If you are an expat in Bahrain, things are different. The employer needs to fund the mandatory package, this only covers emergency and primary healthcare. So if you have a cap on spending, then that can be a problem. Getting Bahrain private health insurance becomes mandatory, but since there are so many options, it’s close to impossible to find the option that works very well for you.

Private expat health insurance

The good thing about private expat insurance in Bahrain is that you usually get better care when compared to the employer policies. You will be able to visit private hospitals and clinics with this insurance, and the care standards are on par with the USA and the UK at this time. Some insurance policies are also covering things like dental insurance or medical repatriation, which can be very helpful.

Medical examinations for expats

It’s important to note that the healthcare system in Bahrain requires expats to attend not one, but two medical examination. The first one is usually the most detailed one, and it will take place in your home country. Then you will need to arrive in Bahrain and you will be accepted based on that medical document. When you arrive, you will be subjected to another examination. The one in Bahrain is not as detailed however, which is something to take into consideration.

Prescriptions and vaccinations

Antidepressants and sleeping pills are not allowed in Bahrain. However, doctors are allowed to offer prescriptions to expats too. You will be able to find most of the stuff you need at the major pharmacy chains. When it comes to vaccinations, it’s a good idea to take standard vaccinations as well as Hepatitis and Rabies vaccinations, aside from Rubella, Mumps or measles, among many others.

Conclusion

Getting the right medical care and attention in Bahrain is very important, especially as an expat. Granted, it might cost you to quite a bit of money to obtain great assistance and medical support, but it’s definitely worth it and that’s the thing you need to consider the most. At the end of the day, Bahrain does have one of the best medical systems in the region, so it’s ok to pay as an expat as long as you receive the best case. And yes, you can expect high quality medical services that rival those from the UK or the US. Which is why you need to ensure that any medical costs and challenges are dealt with from the start when you move to Bahrain!