MUSCAT : Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital, Muscat, Oman, part of GCC’s leading integrated healthcare provider Aster DM Healthcare, has announced the launch of its new Endocrinology & Vascular Centre of Excellence (COE) in Muscat, Oman. This state-of-the-art facility is set to redefine the landscape of diabetes care and endocrinology treatment in Oman, offering a comprehensive range of services designed to address the multifaceted challenges of diabetes and its associated complications.

The launch event was graced by Dr. Muhanna Nasser Al Maslahi, Director General of the Directorate General of Private Health Institutions at the Ministry of Health (MOH). Prominent medical professionals present included Dr. Khalifa Nasser, Senior Consultant – Vascular Surgery; Dr. Wasim Sheikh, Specialist Endocrinology; Dr. Sebasis Besoi, Specialist General Surgery; Dr. Saida Yasmeen, Specialist Ophthalmologist; and Mr. Shailesh Guntu, Chief Executive Officer of Aster Hospitals and Clinics, Oman.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Muhanna Nasser Al Maslahi, Director General of the Directorate General of Private Health Institutions at the Ministry of Health (MOH) said, “The establishment of the Endocrinology & Vascular Centre of Excellence at Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital is a commendable step forward in Oman’s healthcare landscape. As diabetes continues to be a pressing concern in the region, initiatives like this, which combine advanced technology with specialized care, are vital to improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of chronic diseases. We are proud to witness the private healthcare sector’s commitment to enhancing medical services for the benefit of our community.”

The official launch event marked a significant milestone in Aster’s ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare in Oman. Among the highlights of the launch were the introduction of two specialized clinics — the Vascular & Diabetic Foot Clinic and the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic, making Aster Royal Al Raffah the first private hospital chain in Oman to offer such specialized care, alongside the first-ever AI-powered diabetes screening tool available in Oman.

Detecting diabetes at an early stage is crucial in preventing complications such as neuropathy, vision loss, and vascular diseases, which can lead to complex and life-altering health issues.

The Vascular & Diabetic Foot Clinic, the first of its kind in a private hospital in Oman, is designed to provide expert care for the often-overlooked complications of diabetes, particularly diabetic neuropathy, foot ulcers, and infections. These issues, if left untreated, can lead to severe outcomes such as gangrene and, in the worst cases, amputation. With early intervention and specialized care, Aster’s Vascular & Diabetic Foot Clinic aims to prevent such outcomes, improving patients’ quality of life and reducing the burden of diabetic complications.

In addition, the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic will offer comprehensive services for one of the most common complications of diabetes, which can lead to vision loss if not detected and treated early. The clinic will provide specialized screening, including dilated fundoscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), as well as treatment options ranging from laser therapy to eye injections for more advanced stages of the disease. This clinic highlights Aster’s commitment to preserving patients’ vision and improving their overall health outcomes.

A particularly innovative offering at Aster Royal Al Raffah is the AI Diabetes Screening Tool, “Aster Al Raffah AI Sugar Buddy,”a first-of-its-kind service in Oman. This tool, available through WhatsApp at +968 9139 1235, allows patients to assess their risk for prediabetes from the comfort of their own homes. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the tool provides an easy and convenient way for individuals to screen for potential diabetes risks, facilitating early detection and timely intervention. AI is not only transforming diabetes care but also reshaping the broader healthcare sector by improving the accuracy of diagnostics, optimizing treatment plans, and enhancing patient monitoring. This initiative aims to make diabetes care more accessible and efficient, empowering individuals to take control of their health.

The estimated share of the population affected by diabetes in Oman is expected to reach 14.26% in 2024¹, and more than 350,000 people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are projected to live in Oman by 2050—an increase of approximately 174% compared to 2015². These statistics highlight the urgent need for initiatives like the Endocrinology & Vascular Centre of Excellence, which focuses on innovative care and proactive management of diabetes.

In addition, the Centre will offer bariatric surgery options to address obesity—a significant risk factor for diabetes—empowering patients to achieve better health outcomes. Bariatric surgery, particularly procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, have been proven to significantly reduce blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and help diabetic patients achieve long-term remission of Type 2 diabetes.

Mr. Shailesh Guntu, Chief Executive Officer of Aster Al Raffah Hospitals and Clinics, Oman, expressed his excitement about the launch, stating, “The opening of the Endocrinology & Vascular Centre of Excellence is a significant step forward in Aster’s mission to provide world-class, accessible healthcare in Oman. As the first private hospital in Oman to launch both a Vascular & Diabetic Foot Clinic and a Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic, alongside introducing the first-ever AI-powered diabetes screening tool, Aster Al Raffah AI Sugar Buddy, this marks a major milestone in diabetes care innovation. With diabetes becoming an increasingly prevalent concern in the region, it is essential that we offer specialized, preventive care to help manage and mitigate the impact of this chronic disease. Our new clinics and the AI-powered screening tool will not only provide patients with the best possible care but also empower them to manage their health proactively. With the additions of these clinics, we will have the comprehensive coverage of endocrinology treatments”

The Endocrinology & Vascular Centre of Excellence aligns with Aster Royal Al Raffah’s broader vision to address the complex comorbidities associated with diabetes, such as high blood pressure, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, eye disorders, and sleep issues. By offering integrated care through multiple Centers of Excellence, Aster aims to provide a holistic approach to diabetes management, ensuring that patients receive the full spectrum of care they need to manage their condition effectively.

As part of the launch, Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital will host the Aster Diabesity Conclave (Chapter 2), an exclusive event for healthcare professionals. The conclave will feature interactive panel discussions, specialist-led sessions, and collaborative case analyses, providing an invaluable platform for clinicians to learn from leading experts in the field of diabetes and obesity management. Among the topics covered were diabetic foot treatment, the transformative role of metabolic surgery in diabetes management, the latest treatment guidelines for Type 2 diabetes, and the management of diabetic retinopathy. Mr. Sulaiman Al Shereiqi, Head of Training & Career Development at the National Diabetes & Endocrine Center, Oman, will also be a part of the conclave, contributing his expertise to the event.

This launch is part of Aster’s larger “Treat in Oman” initiative, aimed at enhancing local healthcare accessibility and reducing the need for international medical travel. By introducing cutting-edge services and solutions, Aster is helping to position Oman as a hub for world-class medical care, ensuring that residents can access top-tier healthcare services right here at home.