In order to attract health investment in line with the directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, His Excellency Dr. Hilal Ali Al-Sabti issued a Ministerial Decision No. 2024/71 specifying fees for the services provided by the Ministry of Health. 
The decision stipulates that some service fees for private health sector will be reduced, cancelled, and combined, starting from March 17, 2024.
Dr. Muhanna bin Nasser Al Muslhi, MOH Director General of Private Health Establishments stated that the Ministerial Decision emphasis the Ministry’s support of the private health sector and represented an important step in facilitating services for private health institutions. The decision involves abolition of more than ten fees including those related to the establishment of hospital, addition of specialties or services, vaccination activity, data amendment, ambulance service, medical report approval, and sick leave, with the aim to encourage the private health sector.
licensing fees for institutions were also reduced and a validity period was expanded, Al Muslhi added, stressing that these amendments not only support the private health sector but also took into account the interest of society members. The amendment of fees also included pharmacies, pharmaceutical factories, registration of pharmaceutical companies, health preparations, and licenses for Omani medical and allied medical categories with the aim of promoting Omanisation in private health institutions. 
The Director General of Private Health Establishments pointed out that more than 200 Omani dentists have been employed in the private health sector so far. He highlighted that one of the outcomes of the health laboratory held last year is the establishment of a training academy for dental specialties. The academy will offer a one-year internship for fresh graduates in addition to providing specialized training in various dental specialties such as orthodontics. The Ministry has granted approvals for this academy to establish dental clinics. 
In its efforts to support health investment and the establishment of health institutions, the Ministry has granted initial approvals for (16) private hospitals and (215) private health institutions over the past year, mostly located outside Muscat Governorate. 
Dr. Al Muslhi emphasized that the Ministry is actively supervises the private health institutions by conducting regular visits in collaboration with their partners in the departments at the Governorates. Additionally, the DG works with other regulatory bodies such as Consumer Protection Authority, Muscat Municipality and Royal Oman Police and disseminating some violations. 
Moreover, Dr. Al Muslhi highlighted the Ministry’s confidence in the private health sector. The Ministry allows Omani physicians from the public sector to work as visiting doctors in private health institutions after official working hours. 
The Ministry believes in the importance of dual evaluation; therefore, a questionnaire form was designed to evaluate the performance of evaluation teams during visits. The Ministry encourages all private health establishments to respond to the form. 
These facilities and procedures of the Ministry of Health aim to systematically support the private health sector in establishing suitable fees and contribute to the growth of the national economy.