National Institution for Human Rights – Kingdom of Bahrain all, including low-income segments, whether the health service is provided by the government or private sector. Equity requires that low-income families should not bear a burden that is not commensurate with their financial capacity compared to other families. 10. In all cases, when providing health services, the principles of recognized medical ethics should be observed, and the staff practices should be consistent with the best practices in the medical field, should not be not contrary to the culture and customs of the community, and should take gender requirements into account. The health facilities should be supported with skilled staff and doctors and scientifically approved drugs and hospital equipment, as well as other tools and supplies. 11. The right to health imposes an obligation on the State to respect this right, by abstaining from creating any direct or indirect obstruction that inhibits its enjoyment, such as preventing or limiting equal access to health, preventive and curative services for all individuals, including citizens, residents, prisoners, detainees, minorities, and other categories, without any discriminatory practices. 12. The State’s obligations towards the right to health include providing the necessary protection of this right by taking legislative and administrative measures to ensure equality and non-discrimination in access to health care and services provided by the private sector, as well as quality assurance. The State should assume control of medical equipment and medications to identify their quality, appropriateness, and suitability for use. 13. Concerning the obligation to realize the right to health, the State is required to adequately acknowledge that right for all individuals, who are subject to its jurisdiction, in its national regulations, in particular its legal system, in addition to adopting national health policies accompanied by detailed plans for the realization of this right 8. 14. As part of NIHR identification of the efforts of the Government, represented by the Ministry of Health, concerning the right to health, NIHR has contacted the Ministry of Health and posed a number of inquiries related to several topics, namely, the number of health facilities, including emergency departments and Salmaniya Medical Complex; the accommodation capacity of these facilities and their ability to meet the needs of individuals; medical staff; supervision of health services, pharmacies and drugs in terms of availability, suitability and supply standards; the most common diseases, especially genetic diseases, such as S.C.D and diabetes; mortality rate resulting from these two diseases; number of HIV cases; whether or not these cases constitute a phenomenon; the actions taken by the Ministry regarding the disease cases caused by medical malpractice; and the mechanism adopted to address these cases. NIHR also inquired about the system of providing treatment abroad; the number of cases treated under this system; how are the patients referred from detention places at the Ministry of the Interior treated; the condition of occupational health; public health conditions; mental health institutions and services; addiction treatment centers; the elderly and children; awareness programs and training courses for workers in the medical field, and future plans for the development of the medical services provided. Furthermore, NIHR inquired about the obstacles, shortcomings and problems that prevent individuals from enjoying the highest attainable standard of health; and the number of complaints or grievances received and how are they addressed. NIHR did not receive a response to these questions, except in respect of three issues, i.e. 8. International Human Rights Instruments, Vol. I, Compilation of General Comments and General Recommendations Adopted by Human Rights Treaty Bodies, Twenty-second session, General Comment No. 14: The right to the highest attainable standard of health - Document No.: ((HRI / GEN / 1/rev.9 (vol.1). 92