The Royal Medical Services (RMS) of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan’s renowned Shonan Kamakura General Hospital to enhance bilateral healthcare cooperation and promote the exchange of advanced medical expertise.
This step follows the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and builds on the outcomes of his official visit to Japan last September, which strengthened bilateral ties between Bahrain and Japan.
The MoU is a strategic move to expand healthcare cooperation, leverage advanced Japanese medical expertise, and enhance healthcare quality to international standards. It was signed in Japan by Brigadier Doctor Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of RMS, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of Ahmed Mohammed Al Doseri, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Japan.
The agreement underscores strong Bahraini–Japanese relations and a shared commitment to institutional cooperation in healthcare. It targets key areas including medical case coordination, specialized training programs, academic exchanges, joint research, and the organization of medical conferences, promoting innovation and sustainable development in the health sector.
Brigadier Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa, Commander of RMS, said that the MoU is a key step in expanding RMS’ international partnerships and strengthening its regional and global presence. He highlighted that the agreement reflects the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the support of the Crown Prince, and the oversight of Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
He added that collaboration with leading Japanese medical institutions fosters knowledge exchange, expertise transfer, and development of human and technical capacities, while supporting sustainable healthcare and improving overseas treatment coordination to international standards.
Image credits: BNA | Cropped by GBN
Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Al Doseri said the MoU highlights the longstanding ties between Bahrain and Japan and the ongoing growth of their strategic partnership. He noted that healthcare cooperation is a key pillar of bilateral relations, with both humanitarian and developmental significance, and that the agreement strengthens institutional integration while opening new avenues for sustainable collaboration.
The partnership highlights the value of international collaboration in advancing medical innovation and healthcare systems, reinforcing Bahrain’s role as an active global health partner.
