In conjunction with the celebration of the fifth anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s assumption of the throne, and in line with the strategic goals of the health sector in Oman Vision 2040 to provide specialized healthcare institutions, promote the decentralization of health services, and achieve health security, the Ministry of Health (MOH) today (Thursday) celebrated the inauguration of the Maqshan Hospital project in Dhofar Governorate under the patronage of H.H. Sayyid Marwan bin Turki bin Mahmoud AL Said, Governor of Dhofar.
The hospital, located on the road between Muscat and Salalah, is set to serve the Wilayat of Maqshan and three neighboring villages.
The inauguration ceremony at the Wali of Maqshan's office was attended by H.E. Dr. Hilal bin Ali bin Hilal Al Sabti, Minister of Health, along with a number of MOH Undersecretaries, Governors, members of the State and Shura Councils, heads of civil and military government agencies.
The hospital provides its services to the residents of the Wilayat of Mucsaan, with a population of 1,267 people (according to 2023 statistics), as well as the three neighboring villages: Mashash, Marsodid, and Mandar Al-Dhabian, in addition to other residential areas in the Wilayat. The hospital was built on an area of approximately 1,883.93 sq. m., with a donation from Oman Oil Company amounting to 1.5 million Omani riyals.
The ceremony began with a speech by Dr. Ali Al-Maqbali, Director-General of Health Services for Dhofar Governorate, who highlighted that the Wilayat of Maqshaan includes three health institutions: the former Maqshan Health Center, the Mashash Health Center, and the Marsodid Health Center. These centers provide essential primary healthcare services, including general medicine, vaccinations, maternal and childcare, home health care for the elderly, pre-marriage, and over-30 screenings, in addition to basic services in pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology.
Al-Muqbali stressed that Maqshan Hospital is one of the important development projects in the Wilayat of Maqshan, aligning with Oman Vision 2040 to achieve the strategic goals and programs of the health sector. Among these objectives are universal health coverage and decentralization of service delivery. The hospital will provide healthcare services to citizens and residents, alleviating the burden of traveling over 300 kilometers to Sultan Qaboos Hospital. Moreover, it is strategically located on the northern border of Dhofar Governorate, near the border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Positioned along Sultan Said bin Taimur Road, it will also play a crucial role in responding to accidents or emergencies along this route.
The Director-General of Health Services for Dhofar Governorate pointed out that in line with the directives of H.E. the Minister of Health, Maqshan Hospital will integrate with Haima Hospital in the Al Wusta Governorate in several healthcare services such as diagnostic services for precise laboratory tests, computed tomography (CT) scans, specialized ultrasound services, specialized treatment services, complicated childbirth care, critical care, and emergency surgeries.
The hospital includes all primary healthcare specialties, such as general medicine clinics, specialized clinics, and a delivery room, in addition to radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, and support services. The hospital is equipped with 24 beds, with the possibility of expansion, distributed across male and female wards, the maternity and post-delivery sections, observation areas, and a recovery room.
For his part, Eng. Yusuf bin Yaqub Ambo Ali, MOH Director-General of Projects and Engineering Services, emphasized that this project is part of the ongoing efforts by the government to achieve Oman’s renewed vision, which aims to promote sustainable development and enhance the well-being of citizens across the Sultanate. He explained that this project is part of a series of initiatives the Ministry implements in various governorates.
Ambo Ali also confirmed that these health projects are part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving the quality of services across various sectors by providing high-quality healthcare services, along with educational and awareness programs designed to enhance public health knowledge and foster sustainable healthy living within the Omani community.
It is worth noting that, in addition to the opening of Maqshan Hospital, the Ministry of Health had also celebrated the inauguration of Al-Mazyunah Hospital in Dhofar Governorate in September of the previous year. Both hospitals are significant additions to the healthcare system in the governorate.
