Within its participation at the 33rd edition of COMEX Global Technology Show 2024, the Ministry of Health launched today (Wednesday) the e-service of sick leaves approval through the health portal. 
The launching was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al Ajmi, Executive President of Oman Medical Specialty Board, in the presence of Dr. Muhanna Al Maslahi, MOH’s Director General of Private Health Establishments, and a number of officials from the Ministry. 
Regarding the process, the Director General of Private Health Establishments, said that the issuance of sick leave starts first through the system by the healthcare provider at the private health institution. He emphasized that the sick leave issued by the system is considered valid, and the beneficiary can present it to various authorities within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr. Al Maslahi added that the targeted beneficiaries of the service are patients, whether citizens or residents, who have received treatment at one of the private health institutions in the country. He explained that there are certain conditions that must be met, including that the treating physician and the private health institution must have valid licenses. Additionally, the patient must provide their personal ID card to issue their sick leave.
The Director General of Private Health Establishments also pointed out that this service will be available around the clock. Physicians will be able to issue sick leave and send it to the patient via text message or print it from the private health institution. 
The number of sick leaves issued since the launch of the service on the first of November last year until today has exceeded 370,000 certificates, Dr. Al Maslahi revealed. 
Dr. Al Maslahi mentioned that the issued sick leaves are subject to inspection by the healthcare staff or the beneficiary to ensure their validity, where their authenticity is verified by a code. He clarified that the previous financial fees for certifying sick leave for more than two days have been abolished, noting that governmental and private authorities do not accept any paper-based sick leaves from private health institutions across various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. 
The Ministry of Health booth at the ongoing COMEX Oman is witnessing a good turnout from exhibition visitors during both morning and evening hours. At the same time, there is positive participation from several affiliated entities and institutions.