Security has been stepped up at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) in the last few days, the Gulf Daily News has learnt.

Doctors and visitors said though there was no marked increase in the number of security men, main entrances were once again being manned by Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) personnel.

This follows reports that there would be attempts to cause chaos on Bahrain's roads today and tomorrow by attempting to march to the former (Pearl) GCC Roundabout area, according to sources.

"There is also greater scrutiny of who goes into the hospital," said a doctor, who asked not to be named.

"We have been feeling something different in the last few days, but things have been quite orderly." He said more security personnel meant more confidence for those working at the hospital.

"We have lived through a month-long nightmare in February and March and would not want that situation to return," said the doctor. No official comment was issued, but a GDN reporter who visited the SMC on Wednesday evening found the main entrances manned by BDF officers who were checking at random vehicles entering the complex.

There was also increased vigil at the entrance to the hospital's Accident and Emergency Department.

The GDN earlier reported that anti-government protesters occupied SMC during the February and March protests, controlling all movement within the hospital after security staff went missing.

Hospital equipment, including linen, mattresses, drugs and expensive diagnostic machines, were reportedly stolen or damaged.

Protesters who fled the hospital when security forces moved in on March 16 allegedly damaged several ambulances in a bid to immobilise the fleet.-TradeArabia News Service