Dr Karunakara raised issues related to the need for impartial access to healthcare in Bahrain and the obligation of medical staff to provide health care regardless of patients’ political or sectarian affiliations.
The MSF President reiterated the organisations’ willingness to provide technical support in emergency preparedness and mental health care, which was received positively by the Bahraini delegation.
Minister Dr Salah Bin Ali Abdularahman and undersecretary Khalifa Yusuf Ahmed Al-Kaabi encouraged MSF to resubmit the proposal for its activities in Bahrain and assured they would provide the necessary support to allow for prompt implementation.
An invitation by the Bahrain government was extended to the MSF President to visit the country and follow-up on this commitment. The issue of an official registration for MSF in Bahrain was also discussed.
Dr Salah presented the delegation with a detailed account of Bahrain’s report in response to the recommendations that would be endorsed September 19, 2012 at the Human Rights council.
The minister said that Bahrain was proud to have Bahrain medical cadres in the health sector and that they were some of the best in the field. With regards and being a former doctor, the minister emphasized on the medical code of conduct and that some doctors misused medical facilities as areas for protests and rallying which violates international laws.
He also stressed the protection of human rights was a duty by countries and include all people living in Bahrain.
Dr Salah said that Bahrain was living a recovery phase following the February 2011 incidents.
Meanwhile, Dr Karunakara said that the role of his organization was purely professional and provided humanitarian aid without the interference in the internal affairs of countries.