MUSCAT : Proctology is the medical specialty that focus on diseases of the anorectal canal. Proctology problems affect 50% of the population, both male and female, at some time in their life. Starcare Laser Proctology Institute brings together all the modern technologies and techniques that are available in this field to benefit the people of Oman. Laser has dramatically changed the treatment of problems like haemorrhoids, fistula and sinus. Laser treatments are very simple and effective with much less discomfort after treatment than traditional proctologic surgery. Apart from Laser, Starcare institute in Barka is also gearing up to provide several other modern video-assisted technologies like VAAFT, LIFT, LAFT, EPSiT, Stapler and Botox.

The lively launch function conducted at Starcare Hospital Barka was inaugurated by Dr Nasser Al-Shekaili, Director of Ministry of Health Rustaq Hospital. “I am happy that Starcare has chosen South Batinah to launch such a unique service which is needed all over the country. Lot of people, both men and women suffer these types of problems in silence and now we have hope to get treatments in a very simple way. I am happy to meet the expert panel of surgeons who lead this service”, he said while inaugurating. The function was attended by several community members apart from Directors and staff from across Starcare group.

“Starcare in India is very popular for Laser treatment or Varicose veins and Proctology conditions. This motivated us to open such a centre in Oman. The beauty of Laser treatments for Proctology problems is that the procedure avoids cutting skin and is almost a bloodless procedure. Patients can go home on the same day after few hours of rest. Unlike old type of surgeries, prolonged bed rest is not needed after Laser treatments for conditions like haemorrhoids, fissure and fistula. We are a team of two Laser surgeons and two more surgeons are joining very soon” said Dr Sukumaran Vengail, Medical Director and Consultant Surgeon at Starcare Barka who leads the Institute.

“Treatment for many proctology issues can be as simple as the right diet and lifestyle changes or medicines to control bowel movements. Surgery or Laser are only needed when such measures alone are not adequate. Even though titled as Laser Institute, we are also bringing together many other technologies to help people in Oman. Video assisted Laser surgeries for precision, giving better results is the modern way of handling such problems and we are developing a world class resource centre that will be a role model that others can learn from. We hope to start training other professionals as well and there will be a free Proctology seminar on every Saturday at Barka for the community awareness” said Dr Alfred Augustine, Director of Surgical services at Starcare Hospital, Muscat and Consultant Surgeon at both Starcare Muscat and Barka.

“Starcare has always been the at forefront of innovation in Oman and I am happy that we are able to bring these new technologies and great expert panel of surgeons as we recover from the impact of the Covid pandemic. This service is launched in Barka first, but we will soon start offering the service in all other Starcare units across Oman so that more people can benefit. We are very careful in pricing this service so that everyone who needs it can afford Insha Allah” commented Nasser Batha, Group CEO of Starcare Oman after launching the resourceful www.muscatlaserproctology.com website.   

Starcare Hospital, Barka, is a multi-specialty hospital offering 24-hour adult urgent care and 24-hour Children’s specialist urgent care. The hospital is particularly known for its Maternity, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, Urology, Pediatrics, ENT, Laparoscopic surgery, Pulmonology and Sleep Lab. Starcare Barka is currently the largest Bariatric surgery centre in Oman and one of the highest volume centres of such surgeries in GCC.