PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST
The Royal Hospital continues to bolster its brand by maximizing patient experience at all stages of the journey.
BIOGRAPHY
Qasem Ahmed Al Salmi is a senior consultant pediatric pulmonologist and Director General of the Royal Hospital. He is an American Board certified pediatric pulmonologist, who earned his medical doctoral degree from the College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University in 1994. He completed his residency and fellowship training and earned a Master's degree in Public Health from Houston, Texas.
What are your thoughts regarding the evolution of the public healthcare system in the short term?
The quality of healthcare services in Oman is comparable to any other developed country; however, many people seek a second opinion abroad, as it is their right to do so. The marketing of the private sector in Oman is not at the level where it should be. What is still lacking is the trust of the public and the awareness of just what is available. Much will depend on the decision to introduce health insurance for citizens and residents. The decision has not been made yet for Omanis, but has already been taken for expatriates, who today require coverage. This is a high-level decision. Of course, to use an approach that considers universal healthcare insurance coverage, many requirements need to be put in place first. The government has partnered with a private institution, a university from South Korea, to devise a draft document on the requirements of establishing universal insurance coverage.
How can PPPs help achieve the goals set by the Ministry of Health, and what will be their impact on tertiary healthcare?
When it comes to hospitals, tertiary, or outpatient care, PPPs work well. Often, the PPP model allows the government to work with partners who as experts in the field have greater efficiency and utilization of resources. The model also expedites investment, which allows for a timelier meeting of demand. Government processes take a long time while the private sector can supplement that with its quicker reaction time to the demand for new services and so on.
What is the current status of preventative healthcare, and how can it be improved?
In Oman, preventative healthcare is a strong area of focus, with child immunization rates among the highest in the world. Moreover, the country's overall structure allows for a general healthy condition, with a robust water supply, state-of-the-art sewage and hygiene infrastructure, and free access to healthcare. Cancer screening programs are rather costly, but they are a crucial element of preventive healthcare. Oman has now introduced a breast cancer screening program, with other screening programs in the pipeline, such as colon cancer and cervical cancer. These are all country-specific, as early detection determines both treatment and outcome.
What do you think about the advent of digitalization in medical services and the medical profession, and what are your concerns regarding patient data security?
Our entire health information system has being digitalized. We have had paperless medical records for years, which has given us many advantages. Oman has a nationwide individual medical record inclusive of medical history and treatments, which can be accessed from anywhere. In terms of confidentiality and data security, there is always a risk, but the government opted to have this information on an internal server and not connected to the internet. The main change is our increasing dependency on technology, and with AI already there, we are poised to enhance patient services by bringing them more satisfaction. Indeed, although it is costly, whether applied to equipment or medications, it will improve the quality of our services and ultimately lead to better utilization of services.
What are your priorities for 2020, and what are the strategic drivers behind them?
In 2019, we reviewed our mission and created hospital-wide goals such that each department sets their own objectives. Ultimately, we aim to maximize patient experience within the hospital from the time they enter until they leave, as well as all interactions within the hospital, and also our efficiency in service delivery. We are focused on bolstering the brand of the Royal Hospital. We have introduced a number of latest treatments. We have a national heart center that has introduced numerous procedures over the last two years. We also have a major upcoming project involving the expansion of our pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit.
PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Focus: Future foreign policy
Friends to all, enemy to none
In championing the late Sultan Qaboos' non-interference foreign policy, the new ruler of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, is determined to work for friendship and peace, justice and harmony, and coexistence and positive constructive dialogue.
read articleInterview
David Kalife, CEO, Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO)
Despite Oman's fuel market slowing down, OOMCO increased its sales volume of lubricants by 36% in 2019 and is constructing a greenfield bunker terminal at the Port of Duqm. The company has transformed while growing its expertise in Marketing and Digital.
read articleInterview
Azzan Al Busaidi, CEO, Ithraa
Azzan Al Busaidi is an expert in competitiveness and economic growth. He was appointed CEO of Ithraa in 2019 after 17 years spent covering managerial roles in the organization. Al Busaidi was previously Ithraa's director general of planning and studies and is a strong advocate of the potential of digitization. He holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and a BSc in Economics from Sultan Qaboos University.
read articleInterview
Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion & Former Chairman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Private Omani companies will be able to benefit greatly from the Fourth Industrial Revolution by enhancing their local value-added strategies and upskilling the workforce.
read articleInterview
Tahir Bin Salim Bin Abdullah Al Amri, Executive President, Central Bank of Oman (CBO)
The Central Bank of Oman's job is to ensure there is adequate liquidity in the system and that banks remain robust and resilient to meet the credit requirements of all segments without undermining financial stability.
read articleB2B
Capital markets
CMA and MSM are supporting Vision 2040 by providing financing to government companies that intend to go public, financing expansion of existing and new IPOs, and widening the investors base in Oman by enhancing and developing the investment funds and insurance industries.
read articleInterview
Khalid Al Balushi, CEO, Khazaen Economic City
International investors and business owners can benefit from Khazaen Economic City's strategic location and its close proximity to the main gateways of the country to import, process, manufacture, distribute locally, and export their goods and services.
read articleFocus: Port 4.0
Destined for greatness
Investments in world-class infrastructure have generated huge rewards for Oman. The goal now is to leverage technology as a disruptive enabler, build human capacity across the public and private logistics sectors, and drive operational efficiencies to build an integrated logistics business environment that is benchmarked against the world's best.
read articleFocus: Gap in tourism services
All bases covered
An amalgamation of local companies and unique experiences in Oman has created an original flavor that is further differentiating Oman's tourism offering from other countries and in the process attracting scores of tourists from all across the world.
read articleB2B
Engineering design
Renardet Engineering Consultants and Design Unit Engineering are recognized experts in their fields. While the former is an international company strongly committed to excellent engineering consultancy services and environmental practices, the latter is an Oman-based team of architects and engineers that incorporates local culture and traditions.
read articleB2B
Construction materials
Oman's construction sector is facing a host of challenges, but Hempel Paints and Al Maha Ceramics are confident that a mix of forward-thinking business models, unique products, and strong government initiatives will help them through turbulent times and generate positive returns in the long run.
read articleInterview
Salim Razvi, CEO, Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA)
Focusing on higher education institutional accreditation, program accreditation, and the updating and maintaining of the Oman Qualifications Framework, OAAA is helping further advance higher education in the Sultanate.
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