Al Hilal Hospital and Al Hilal Multi Specialty Medical Center –Riffa have been awarded JCI (Joint Commission International) Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital and Ambulatory care Accreditation respectively by demonstrating continuous compliance with its internationally-recognized standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care. Al Hilal Hospital is only the second hospital in the whole of Bahrain to achieve JCI Accreditation. Among medical centers, Al Hilal Multi Specialty Medical Center Riffa is the first Medical Center to achieve this reputed accreditation. JCI Accreditation is a quality certification that is given after stringent inspection and review of hospital policies, quality standards which ensure patient safety and quality of care at the highest standards.

A grand function was held on Thursday, 20th Oct 2016 at Four Season’s Hotel to celebrate the achievement, which also marked the 10th Anniversary of Al Hilal Hospital, Muharraq. During the function, the JCI Accreditation certificates were handed over to the hospital Directors by Chief Guest, H.E. Faeqa Bint Saeed Al Saleh, Minister of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, during the function. Present at the occasion were Dr. Mustafa Al-Sayed, Secretary General, Royal Charity Organisation, Mr. Mohammed Al snan, Chairman of Muharraq Municipal Council, H.E. Abdul Majeed Al Hawaj, Mr. P.A. Mohamed, Mr. V.T. Vinod and Mr. Abdul Latheef, hospital directors, Mr. Naveej Vinod, Hospital officials, Dignitaries, Government Officials, Corporates, Insurance Companies and Community Leaders, and Well Wishers.

Speaking at the occasion, H.E. Faeqa Al Saleh, Minister of Health said “This is a biggest achievement in Hospital Standards Accreditation and quality certification. I appreciate Al-Hilal’s initiative to enhance Bahrain’s health care level by implementing JCI standards. I am sure that this will help them to get better positioning during the national health accreditation due to be conducted soon and also Compulsory Health Insurance due in 2018.” 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Mr. V.T. Vinodan said “On this occasion, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa- Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Bahrain, for the strong support to the businesses to establish and attain sustainable growth. We pray for the continued prosperity and growth of this beautiful kingdom.’

Making his remarks about the direction Al Hilal is taking to lead and progress into the next phase of high quality of medical services, Mr. Abdul Latheef said “Al-Hilal’s 10 years of excellence in health care was remarkable, people of Bahrain have trust on us, they are with us during last 10 years and supported us. Therefore we want to give our patients the assurance of the highest quality of our medical care, in the form of JCI Accreditation which ensures high quality and patient safety standards in all our health care services’. 

The hospital is also reputed for its dedicated team of highly qualified doctors, physicians and surgeons. Talking about the achievements of Al Hilal Hospital, Mr. P.A. Mohamed said “Al Hilal Hospital has received more than 1.5 million patients, conducted more than 10,000 surgeries, 5000 deliveries, thousands of inpatients and daycare in the last 10 years. The hospital receives more than 800 patients every day. The hospital provides Super Specialty services in Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Cardiac diagnosis, Urology and Neurology.”

Al Hilal Multi Specialty Medical Center –Riffa and Al Hilal Hospital, Muharraq underwent a rigorous on-site survey from 12th to 14th July 2016 and 17-21st July 2016 respectively. During the survey, a team of Joint Commission International expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to a variety of areas, including the International Patient Safety Goals, patient assessment and care, anesthesia and surgical care, medication management, patient and family education, quality improvement, infection prevention and control, governance and leadership, facility management, staff qualifications and education, and information management.

FUTURE PLANS: Mr. Abdul Latheef spoke about the hospital plans for future expansions in detail and made an announcement saying, “Our efforts to serve the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain and provide the best quality healthcare in all areas of Bahrain has led us to develop our future project plans. We are happy to announce that Al Hilal will soon establish its third health care destination in Manama. The works have commenced and the medical center will open in March 2017. The facility will cater to areas in and around Manama and provide the well-known and improved medical services in all major specialties, with full-fledged diagnostic services, radiology, medical laboratory and 24 hour clinical services.”

“The Future projects includes a multi-specialty medical center in Isa Town; and expansion of existing departments and services in all our facilities. The hospital aims to bring in the latest technology for better care and treatment of patients, which include an MRI scan center”, he added.

Al Hilal Hospital and Medical Centers provide medical services round the clock, 24/7/365 days. The highest level of care is available for all at any time, with diagnostic and treatment to serve the medical needs of the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain, at any time of day or night. 

BREAST CANCER CHECKUP GIFT VOUCHER: The event was also marked by the launch of Special Al Hilal Breast Cancer Checkup Gift Vouchers by unveiling the Gift Vouchers by H.E. the Minister. These gift vouchers can be purchased by anyone at BD.25/- (actual worth BD.75/-) and gifted to any woman who needs it. If one chooses, it can be given as charity to the underprivileged women who can be registered through the many social organizations who are helping the community. Al Hilal has made arrangements with organizations like Royal Charity Organisation, Bahrain Cancer Society, Cancer Care Group, and other women’s’ association and support groups to recommend women who need this checkup. Their vouchers will be sponsored by the many corporate houses and companies which have come forward to support them by purchasing the gift vouchers and distributing to the needy women. The gift voucher is valid till March 2017 and Al Hilal will coordinate this process. Al Hilal hospital and medical center have been conducting Breast Cancer Health Awareness Campaign for a full month of October every year which is ongoing at present.