More than 150 applications for new private health institutions received

Muscat: The Directorate General of Private Health Establishments has received more than 150 applications for setting up of private health institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, eleven of which are for new hospitals.

Director General Dr. Muhana Al Maslahi pointed out that the number of private health establishments, besides pharmacies, had reached around 1,700. This number is expected to go up to 2,000 in the coming years, he said.

The Director General said the Ministry is currently working out the modalities, including administrative facilities, fee structure, etc. with a view to exercise greater control over them and devise a process of evaluation so that safety of the patients could be ensured and irregularities committed by them were checked.

The safety and health of the people could not be compromised.

He said the evaluation teams had recently compiled a record of offences committed by them, including the instance of an expatriate licensed farmer working as an optometrist in Al Buraimi Governorate. In another case, a domestic worker was caught working as laser technician in a dermatology clinic in Muscat Governorate, he said.

All irregularities have been referred to the Violation Committees and assigned to legal authorities in the country for appropriate action, the Director General said.  

Dr. Al Maslahi said the Directorate would continue to take resolute action against irregularities and simultaneously provide facilities for the development of private health establishments even as it would strive to encourage investments in this sector.