Muscat, Oman: The Sultanate’s healthcare system is all set to see a large number of new facilities to cater to the needs of its growing population as also to sustain the achievements of the past four decades. As a result, the Ministry of Health is now developing 32 new health centres across the country, in addition to 10 big hospitals, said Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, in comments to the Observer.
This includes two 150-bedded hospitals, which will be built in South Sharqiyah and Al Batinah governorates. The preparation of a feasibility study for a medical city project is also under way. The Sultanate’s healthcare system, ranked way back in July 2000 by WHO among the top 10 of the world’s most effective healthcare systems, now faces the challenge of sustaining its achievements.
In response to this challenge the ministry has launched and completed several new projects in the recent past, the minister said. The ministry recently completed the construction of National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, and the National Genetics Centre at Muscat’s Bausher Polyclinic complex. These two cutting-edge facilities will be opened soon, the minister added. The ministry will also open a Heart Centre, Haemodialysis Unit and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit in Dhofar Governorate, said the minister.
The National Genetics Centre will receive patients and will help in extending potential health benefits of genomic advances to people. The National Genetic Centre is designed to provide a host of genetic services, including genetic medicine, genetic counselling and genetic health education. The centre is equipped with genetic laboratories covering molecular genetics, cytogenetics and biochemical genetics.
All medical specialities, which require genetic laboratory diagnostic facilities such as endocrinology; oncology; haematology; paediatrics; ophthalmology; psychiatry and renal medicine, can use the services of the centre. According to the ministry, the centre assumes special significance in view of the added value of the innovations in genetic technology to healthcare delivery and the urgent need for the application of genomics in Oman.
The National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre serves as a One-Stop Clinic for diabetic patients in addition to addressing diabetic complications in the eye, foot and kidneys. As many as 11 per cent of the deaths in Oman are due to diabetic complications and the number of Omanis with diabetes registered at ministry institutions has exceeded 170,000. Diabetes Type II prevalence among adults is currently estimated at 12.3 per cent as against 11.7 per cent (11.8 per cent in males and 11.3 per cent in females) in 2000.
The National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre consists of seven zones; namely: adult Out-Patient Department, Paediatric OPD, Day Wards, Non-Invasive Diagnostic Lab, Laboratories, Pharmacy Store, Consumable Store and Cafeteria and Administration, Consultant Suite and Post Graduate Centre. The Adult Outpatient Department includes a Diabetic Specialty Nurse Education and Health Education facility for people. Similarly, the Paediatric Out Patient Department includes a Social Worker Room, Dietician Room, and Health Education Room.
© Oman Daily Observer 2013
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