Women's Healthcare Rights
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Bahraini national legislation, decree-laws, and ministerial orders.
Bahraini National Law
What is this right?
Bahrain provides specific healthcare services and protections for women throughout different stages of life:
- Prenatal and postnatal care: Pregnant women receive free or subsidised prenatal check-ups, delivery services, and postnatal care at public health centres and hospitals.
- Maternity services: Public hospitals provide delivery and maternity ward services to all women, including expatriates (with applicable fees for non-citizens).
- Reproductive health: Family planning services, contraception counselling, and fertility treatment are available at public health centres and private clinics.
- Breast and cervical screening: The Ministry of Health runs screening programmes for breast cancer and cervical cancer, available free to Bahraini women.
- Workplace protections: Pregnant employees are protected from dismissal and entitled to maternity leave, nursing breaks, and the right to avoid hazardous work assignments.
- Confidentiality: All women's health records, including reproductive health information, are strictly confidential.
When does it apply?
- You are pregnant and need to access prenatal or delivery services.
- You want information about family planning or reproductive health services in Bahrain.
- You are a working mother and need to know your healthcare entitlements.
What should you do?
- Register at your local health centre as soon as pregnancy is confirmed to begin prenatal care.
- Take advantage of free screening programmes offered by the Ministry of Health.
- If you are a working mother, notify your employer of your pregnancy and request your maternity leave entitlements.
- Contact the Supreme Council for Women for information on women's health programmes and support services.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not skip prenatal appointments — regular monitoring is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
- Do not accept being moved to hazardous duties while pregnant — your employer must reassign you to safe work.
- Do not hesitate to seek reproductive health advice — family planning services are confidential and non-judgmental.
Legal Resources
We may earn a commission if you use these services — at no extra cost to you. This supports our mission to make legal information free for everyone.