HEALING HANDS
TBY talks to HE Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health, on the Sultanate's progressive health system, boosting infrastructure, and human resource management.
BIOGRAPHY
HE Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Saidi was educated in the US and the UK, and his career has included senior medical, administrative, and academic positions in both Oman and the UK, including as Under Secretary for Health Affairs and Senior Consultant Rheumatologist at the Omani Ministry of Health, Deputy Director General (Medical), Head of the Medical Division and Senior Consultant Physician/Rheumatologist at the Royal Hospital in Oman, and Consultant Rheumatologist and Senior Lecturer at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in the UK.How would you rate the current healthcare system in Oman?
The Sultanate of Oman has made remarkable achievements in health developments over the past four decades. These health achievements have been praised by a number of international organizations. The UNICEF, in its Progress of Nations 1993 report, ranked Oman first in the MENA and second globally in regard to the percentage reduction of the under-five mortality rate. The same report also ranked Oman first in the MENA region with regard to measles immunization coverage. Oman was among the 12 developing countries that achieved the 2000 year target, set by the World Summit for Children 1990, of at least 90% childhood immunization coverage, long before the target date. The Human Development Report 1997 of the UNDP stated that “Beginning in 1970, Oman undertook a comprehensive program of human development, achieving some of the most rapid advances ever recorded. Life expectancy has increased by 30 years; from 40 years in 1970 to 70 years in 1994. Infant mortality was reduced from more than 200 per 1,000 live births in 1960 to less than 30 in 1994." This report considered Oman as a global pace-setter for human development, especially in the areas of health and education. A study commissioned by the government of Oman, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) on health achievements in Oman reported that Oman's decline in childhood mortality is one of the fastest recorded in the world. The health system in Oman is judged to respond to peoples' needs, whether health or non-health related. The Oman World Health Survey, conducted in 2008, showed that about three-quarters of surveyed people needed some sort of healthcare during the three years preceding the survey, and that 98.4% received the care they needed; only 1.6% did not receive care. The survey also showed that the health system was responsive to their overall non-health needs, with an average score of about 76% for inpatient services and slightly more than 77% for outpatient services. The results clearly show that the people are satisfied with how healthcare providers treat them as well as with the quality of health service amenities.
How is the Ministry working to develop healthcare infrastructure in the country?
Healthcare infrastructure has shown remarkable growth since the early days in 1970. From only two small hospitals with only 12 beds and 19 clinics distributed across the country in 1970, today, after 43 years by the end of 2013, Oman had a total of 66 hospitals; 49 run by the Ministry of Health, five by other public healthcare providers, and 12 by the private sector, with a total of 6,178 hospital beds. There is now one hospital bed to serve about 624 members of the population, compared with about 50,000 in the early 1970s. The Ministry of Health is now running 195 health centers, all providing high-quality primary healthcare. In addition, there are 50 clinics owned by other public healthcare providers and 1,026 private clinics providing basic medical care. There are also incentives for the private sector.
What emphasis are you placing on finding well-educated local medical professionals?
Medical education commenced in Oman in 1986 with the establishment of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Muscat. Prior to that, Omani students had to travel abroad in order to pursue medical degrees. The College of Medicine and Health Sciences at SQU enrolled its first batch of 45 students for the MD program in 1986, and graduated a total of 1,676 medical graduates between 1993 and 2012. The MD degree from SQU is accredited by the General Medical Council of the UK. There are a total of 658 students studying specialties related to healthcare abroad. SQU has also contributed to the graduation of a number of paramedical personnel. In addition to Oman Medical College (OMC), another private university, the University of Nizwa (UON) was established in 2004/2005 and offers undergraduate programs for pharmacy and nursing. These educational institutes have graduated a total of 1,940 physicians, 47 dentists, 407 pharmacists, 342 nurses, and 94 medical laboratory specialists.
HEALING HANDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
HE Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to HE Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, on the skillful use of diplomacy to promote peace and security throughout the region and beyond.
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His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei Darussalam
TBY talks to His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam, on the close ties his nation has with the Sultanate of Oman, and the potential for joint investments.
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HE Seán Sherlock, Minister of State Development, Trade Promotion, & North-South Co-operation, Republic of Ireland
TBY talks to HE Seán Sherlock, Minister of State Development, Trade Promotion, & North-South Co-operation of Ireland, on bilateral agreements, investment opportunities, and relations between the two states.
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HE Dr. Mohammad Bin Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for Economic Planning Affairs, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to HE Dr. Mohammad Bin Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for Economic Planning Affairs, on economic diversification, Omanization, and SMEs.
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Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE)
TBY talks to Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), on attracting investment, supporting local development, and establishing new opportunities.
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HE Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary, Ports and Maritime Affairs
TBY talks to HE Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs, on the important role that the Sultanate's maritime industry is playing in promoting trade and economic activity.
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HE Yahya Said Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD)
TBY talks to HE Yahya Said Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD), on the rise of the Duqm area, and the opportunities on offer for investors and businesses.
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HE Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, European Affairs
TBY talks to HE Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and European Affairs of Belgium, on bilateral relations and maritime cooperation between the two states.
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Dr. Fuad Jaffer Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to Dr. Fuad Jaffer Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, on the sector's role in diversification, encouraging international investment, and ensuring stable prices.
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HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary of Fisheries Wealth, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth
TBY talks to HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary of Fisheries Wealth at the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth, on the role fisheries wealth can play in diversification and boosting the sector through technology.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Rashid Bin Salim Al-Masroori, Executive President, Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve
TBY talks to HE Dr. Rashid Bin Salim Al-Masroori, Executive President of the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve (PASFR), on the drive to ensure food security and boost local production in key sectors.
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