WHO, Bahrain Medical University Seal Major Deal To Strengthen Health Workforce
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
For patients waiting for better healthcare, the quality of treatment often depends on more than hospital facilities. It also depends on the skills of health workers, the strength of medical research and the ability of health systems to respond to emergencies.
In a move aimed at addressing these needs, the World Health Organization (WHO) Bahrain Country Office and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Medical University of Bahrain have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen health workforce education, medical research and community engagement.
The agreement, signed in Manama on 5 November 2026, provides a framework for strategic cooperation in public health, capacity-building, education, innovation and health emergency preparedness.
The signing ceremony was attended by Bahrain’s Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, Lieutenant General Doctor Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Health Dr Jalila bint Al Sayyed Jawad Hassan and Minister of Education Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma.
Dr Adham Ismail, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, and Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, signed the agreement.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shaikh Mohammed said stronger collaboration between universities, healthcare institutions and international organisations was essential to addressing community health needs, improving public health and shaping healthcare policies.
He expressed hope that the agreement would translate into practical initiatives and measurable benefits for the population.
Under the partnership, WHO Bahrain will provide technical expertise and guidance for joint initiatives, while both institutions will periodically assess progress and identify new areas of cooperation.
The agreement places particular emphasis on developing a skilled health workforce, strengthening community participation and improving preparedness for health emergencies.
Dr Ismail said strong health systems depended on well-trained health workers, reliable evidence and meaningful engagement with communities.
He explained that combining WHO’s technical expertise with the university’s strengths in education and research would help strengthen health systems, improve resilience to health emergencies and advance health outcomes in Bahrain and across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Bahrain’s Minister of Health, Dr Hassan, described the agreement as an important step towards strengthening cooperation in healthcare, academia and research.
She said the partnership would promote knowledge exchange, develop national competencies and encourage innovation and scientific research.
She added that investment in healthcare must go beyond service delivery to include medical education, research and the development of skilled professionals.
Similarly, the Minister of Education, Dr Juma, said the partnership would help improve the quality of education and training while preparing qualified national professionals to respond to developments in the healthcare sector.
Research will also be a major component of the collaboration, with opportunities for joint studies, data analysis and scientific publications.
The university’s existing research interests include diabetes, obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, clinical trials, disease prevention and emerging healthcare technologies.
Professor Otoom said the partnership would strengthen the university’s contribution to national and regional health priorities while creating opportunities for knowledge development and practical collaboration.
RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, established in 2004, currently has more than 1,600 students across its Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, and Postgraduate Studies and Research.
The institution also has a record of community engagement. Since 2012, more than 1,950 students, staff and alumni have contributed 7,720 hours of community service through public health, disease prevention and community wellbeing initiatives.
The latest agreement is expected to build on these efforts, providing a platform for sustained cooperation between WHO Bahrain and the university to improve healthcare education, research and public health outcomes in Bahrain and the wider region.
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