The Directorate General of Private Health Establishments has received more than (150) new applications for the establishment of private health institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, (11) of which were for new hospitals as per the latest statistics, stated the Director General Dr. Muhana Al Maslahi.

Dr. Al Maslahi pointed out that the number of the private health establishments in the country reached around (1700) institutions apart from pharmacies.  The number is expected to rise up to (2000) private health establishments in the coming years.

The director General of Private Health Establishments affirmed that the Ministry is currently working on providing all the administrative facilities and reviewing of fees, but it is keen, on the other hand, to exercise greater control and evaluation to ensure patient safety and reduce irresponsible irregularities committed by few group from these private facilities.  The safety and health of people cannot be compromised, Dr. Al Maslahi stressed.

He noted that the evaluation teams have made recently a record of offences including for instance an expatriate licensed as a farmer was detected working in optics shop as an optometrist in Al Buraimi Governorate. Moreover, a domestic worker was caught working as laser technician in one dermatology clinic in Muscat Governorate.

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

Dr. Muhana Al Maslahi, Director General of Private Health Establishments concluded that the Directorate General will continue to resolutely take action against every irregularity of the laws and health safety rules and simultaneously provides all the facilities to support the development of the private health establishments in Oman as well encouraging health investment in this regard.