Manama, March 21 (BNA): The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) published a bilingual research paper entitled “British Victoria Memorial Hospital in Bahrain (1905-1948)” by Dr. Hamad, Executive Director of Derasat. Ibrahim Abdullah.
The researcher reviewed the history of the hospital run by the British Political Agency. A successful model of Bahraini-British cooperation in the first half of the twentieth century.
The paper presents an important chapter in the social and political history of Bahrain, offering researchers insight into its social movement.
The hospital played – through its various locally funded health services in a period of scarcity – a role in the development of modern medical services in Bahrain, as well as a larger role in Bahraini society due to its rare nature as a facility in the Arabian Gulf and a model for the requirements of urban and regional life.
In his study, Dr. Al-Abdullah focuses on the details of establishing the hospital, which reflects the keenness with which the leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain sought to establish modern facilities to serve citizens. The hospital’s journey through the difficult era in which the two world wars took place; boom times in providing health care to citizens and residents under the direction of Dr. Ralph Holmes; And the factors that led to its decline and closure by 1948.
Research into the history of Victoria Memorial Hospital has involved examining a wide range of primary sources, including reports, telegrams and letters exchanged between the Government of Bahrain, residents, the British Agency and the hospital. These documents gave an idea of how the hospital operated, its key personnel, and the major health challenges Bahrain faced in the early 20th century.
These documents were collected through the archives of India Office records kept at the British Library and the British National Archives, as well as the diaries and memoirs of many Bahraini and British public figures and diplomats. The process also used a review of the quarterly reports issued by the US mission.
The study shows that despite the enormous challenges that Victoria Memorial Hospital faced during its 43 years of service, it played a pivotal role in the development of modern health services in Bahrain, while Dr. Ralph Holmes’ personality left a positive impact on society. Her services were admired by all due to her personality, dedication and hard work in serving Bahrainis from all walks of life. However, this experience witnessed a regression due to the lack of funding for the hospital and the competition it witnessed from other local and foreign medical facilities.
The study is available on the Derasat website and can also be viewed by scanning the provided QR code.
HF