Sunday 30 / November / 2025
Ibri — The Ministry of Health is implementing development projects and service programs in Al Dhahirah Governorate, with the aim of enhancing the quality of healthcare and expanding the scope of services provided to citizens.
These efforts are part of the Ministry of Health's work to realise the objectives of "Oman Vision 2040" in building a sustainable health system that meets the requirements of sustainable development.
Dr. Ahmed Said Al Kalbani, Director General of Health Services in Al Dhahirah Governorate, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the health projects and advanced services witnessed in the governorate embody the approaches of the Ministry of Health to enhance the readiness of health institutions and improve the patient experience through modern infrastructure projects, quality services, and innovative digital initiatives. These contribute to raising operational efficiency and providing comprehensive healthcare that meets the aspirations of citizens.
Al Kalbani added that this year has seen the implementation various vital projects representing a qualitative leap in the health services system of Al Dhahirah Governorate. These include the establishment of a dialysis unit in the Wilayat of Dhank, which enhances the capabilities of health institutions to provide dialysis services and reduces pressure on referral hospitals, and the establishment of the Al Dreez Health Center in the Wilayat of Ibri, which is an important addition to the primary healthcare network in the governorate.
This is in addition to signing an agreement to expand the Emergency Department at Ibri Referral Hospital in cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and Daleel Company to increase capacity and improve the quality of emergency services, alongside establishing a Peritoneal Dialysis Unit to expand the range of therapeutic services provided to patients with renal failure.
He affirmed that the Directorate General was keen to launch a number of new medical services, such as plasma therapy and ultrasound services in health institutions, alongside operating 24-hour services at the Ibri Health Complex and providing 24-hour laboratory and radiology services at Yanqul Hospital to facilitate patient access to healthcare and improve response times.
Regarding the digital transformation, Dr. Ahmed Al Kalbani mentioned that the Directorate is proceeding with accelerated steps in implementing smart systems, pointing to the execution of three main initiatives.
These are the Electronic Retinal Examination System initiative for the early detection of retinopathy in diabetic patients, the Electronic Drug Inventory Management System—which won first place at the level of the Sultanate of Oman as the best initiative in digital transformation during 2025—and the National Health Survey, which aims to provide accurate data that contributes to supporting future health planning.
He explained that health indicators in the governorate have shown a noticeable improvement during the first half of 2025. The rate of early pregnancy registration increased from 82 percent in 2024 to 90 percent, the rate of anemia among children at nine months of age decreased from 37 percent to 26 percent, and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding rose from 59 percent to 62.5 percent, as a result of intensive awareness and educational programs.
He said that the Directorate General has placed great emphasis on qualifying and training national cadres through specialized programs implemented by the Training Department and the Development and Professional Guidance Department. This is to raise the efficiency of medical and administrative staff and enhance concepts of quality, patient safety, and institutional excellence, in addition to active partnerships with educational and training institutions inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
Regarding qualitative initiatives, the Director General of Health Services in Al Dhahirah Governorate indicated that the Directorate has presented a number of initiatives to improve the patient experience and enhance service quality. The most prominent of these are the Breastfeeding Support Team initiative, the electronic registration program for the vaccination of health workers, the Aoun (assist) initiative to support needy patients, the shared leadership initiative in primary healthcare institutions, in addition to the community communication service via the instant messaging application for Ibri Hospital, which has strengthened direct communication channels with the community.
He stressed that the health system in Al Dhahirah Governorate is moving forward on the path of development and continuous improvement by adopting modern technical solutions, enhancing innovation in service delivery, and investing in national cadres. This ensures the sustainability and quality of health services, fulfilling the vision of the wise leadership in building an integrated health system that puts people first.
