The Development and Professional Responsibility of Nursing in the Kingdom of Bahrain
In a Ceremony Organized by the College of Health and Sport Sciences, Nursing Students at the University of Bahrain Take the Oath of Profession and Responsibility. The President of the University of Bahrain, Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al-Mudhahka, confirmed the magnitude of the nursing students’ responsibility and their mission as the future nurses in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Dr. Al-Mudhahka addressed about 350 male and female students, during a ceremony organized by the College of Health and Sport Sciences for students to take the nursing oath.
During the event, the leadership's role in the sector was highlighted. Dr. Al-Mudhahka stated, “I highly appreciate the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of the Kingdom of Bahrain, may God protect him, and the wise directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to continue to promote the health sector in the Kingdom.”
The Nursing Oath and Professional Mission
The core of the profession is defined by dedication. Addressing the students, the President said: “Today, by taking the nursing oath and the declaration of Professional Responsibility, you bear the weight of a great humanitarian mission that embodies the concepts of giving, dedication, and sacrifice and God-fearing.” She emphasized that graduates shall provide all nursing care conscientiously, carefully, and safely, bearing in mind the ethics and morals of the profession, regard the interest of patients as a top priority, and serve the Bahraini community as much as possible.
For her part, the Dean of the College of Health and Sport Sciences, Dr. Lina Mohammad Khonji, explained that wearing the nursing uniform means full responsibility as trainees in the present time and practitioners of the profession in the future. She noted that by taking the oath, students make a promise to provide the best nursing care to all who need it regardless of their gender, color, race, and religion, anywhere and under any circumstances.
Academic Excellence and Global Recognition
The College has graduated qualified nurses capable of taking the responsibility, making decisions, and enhancing the health level in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Dr. Al-Mudhahka stressed the importance of the prominent role played by the College of Health and Sport Sciences and the efforts it makes to develop academic programs and provide the appropriate environment for teaching, learning and clinical training. Notably, the Nursing Department at the College of Health and Sport Sciences was selected as a WHO collaborating center to develop the nursing profession in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Key Figures in Bahraini Healthcare and Academia
| Name | Designation / Role |
|---|---|
| Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al-Mudhahka | President of the University of Bahrain |
| Dr. Lina Mohammad Khonji | Dean of the College of Health and Sport Sciences |
| Dr. Naeema Al-Gasser | WHO Representative in Egypt |
| Rula al-Saffar | Bahraini senior nurse |
| Fatima Khairalla | Head Nurse / Special Area |
Challenges in Modern Healthcare Delivery
The delivery of healthcare in Bahrain is facing many new challenges in managing chronic disease; higher acuity of illness; changes in medical technologies and increased medical specialization. Such changes demand a nursing workforce with a breadth and depth of new knowledge and skills in order to ensure nursing competence and meet new healthcare demands. Specifically, the following needs have been identified:
- The development of a first MSc/Post Graduate Diploma is underway.
- Discussions have taken place with hospitals about a specialist ICU nursing programme.
- Continuing education and active participation in scientific research are essential.
- Application of modern nursing practices to contribute to improving the quality of nursing care.
Currently, the arrangements for a post graduate nursing specialist is to send a nurse overseas and this takes place at great cost and inconvenience to the hospital and great personal upheaval to the individual nurse. Therefore, an indigenous post graduate nursing development will address many issues and is needed in Bahrain.
Historical Context and Legal Challenges
The profession has also navigated complex social periods. A group of Bahraini doctors and nurses sentenced to long prison terms for links to anti-government protests appealed on Saturday to the U.N. chief to investigate claims of abuse and judicial violations in their trial by a security court in the Gulf kingdom. These medical workers, including nurse Rula al-Saffar and others, were retried in a civilian appeals court on charges of using the hospital for political purposes during the spring pro-democracy uprising.