MUSCAT: The Directorate General of Private Health Establishments has received more than 150 new applications for the establishment of private health institutions in Oman.

Out these 150 applications, 11 were for new hospitals as per the latest statistics, Dr. Muhana Al Maslahi, Director General of Private Health Institutions at the Ministry of Health said.

Dr. Muhana stated that the number of private health institutions in the Sultanate has reached around 1700 other than pharmacies. The number is expected to rise to 2000 private health institutions in the near future.

He also stressed that the ministry is currently working on providing all administrative facilities and reviewing fees, on the other hand, it is keen to tighten control and evaluation to ensure patient safety and limit the irresponsible abuses committed by a small group from these private institutions. People’s safety and health is not to be compromised, Dr. Muhana said.

He also indicated that the evaluations teams have recently made a record of offences including an expat licensed as a farmer was caught working as an optometrist at an optics store in Al Buraimi Governorate. Also, a domestic workers was apprehended for working as a laser technician in a dermatologist’s clinic in Muscat Governorate.

These cases have been referred to the violation committees as well as the legal authorities in the country for the required action.

Dr. Muhanna concluded that the Directorate General will continue to resolutely take action against every irregularity of the laws and health safety rules and simultaneously provides all the facilities to support the development of the private health establishments in Oman as well as encouraging health investment in this regard.