Bahrain sees 140% rise in government health contracts

Bahrain sees 140% rise in government health contracts

DUBAI: Bahrain's Ministry of Health reported a 140 percent year-on-year increase in the total value of tenders awarded last year, as the country ramped up its expenditure to combat the spread of COVID-19. According to figures released on Wednesday by Bahrain's Tender Board “” the country's government procurement regulator “” 1, 688 tenders worth $4. 1 billion were issued last year. This compares to a total value of $4. 8 billion in 2019, a year-on-year drop of 14. 58 percent. Despite the overall drop in the value of tenders awarded, the ministry awarded 137 tenders valued at $298. 1 million, compared to 93 tenders valued at some $123. 8 million in 2019. "This surge in spending is attributed to the Kingdom's robust and rapid COVID-19 response in many fronts, including a track and trace app, extensive testing, vaccinations, hospital robots, car park conversions to hospitals and more," the Tender Board said in a statement. Gulf Daily News reported that Bahrain registered 682 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number to 131, 683. It has also carried out 3, 321, 242 tests. The death of a 50-year-old expat brought the number of deaths to 485. Analysis of the tenders