MUSCAT – Dr. Hatem bin Dhiyab Al Saadi, Director of Al Suwaiq Hospital, told Oman News Agency that the procedure was carried out laparoscopically and lasted approximately three hours, in line with the highest approved medical standards. He confirmed that the patient’s condition was clinically stable and that the patient was discharged on the fourth day after surgery following completion of treatment and necessary medical follow-up.
Dr. Al Saadi noted that the successful operation represents a major step in expanding specialised surgical services within the governorate, bringing advanced healthcare closer to the local community. Previously, patients requiring this procedure were referred to hospitals in Muscat, despite being from the North and South Al Batinah governorates. He added that the achievement reflects effective institutional integration and cooperation with a specialised surgical team from the Royal Hospital.
He explained that performing such procedures supports the principle of decentralisation in healthcare delivery, enhances the efficiency of specialised surgical services, and helps reduce patient referrals to tertiary hospitals, particularly in the absence of dedicated colon surgery centres in the North and South Al Batinah governorates.
The operation was carried out by qualified national medical staff at Al Suwaiq Hospital, with the participation of a specialised team from the Royal Hospital, within the framework of knowledge transfer, capacity building, and ensuring the sustainability of advanced surgical services.
Dr. Al Saadi highlighted that endoscopic surgery offers several advantages over traditional surgery, including smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, lower infection risks, faster recovery, and fewer complications.
He added that this development is expected to significantly reduce referral rates to the Royal Hospital and ease pressure on referral centres, enabling patients to receive advanced surgical care locally and more efficiently.
Regarding future plans, Dr. Al Saadi said Al Suwaiq Hospital aims to expand advanced endoscopic surgeries to include upper and lower gastrointestinal procedures, liver and pancreas surgeries, as well as orthopaedics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and other surgical specialties. These efforts form part of a strategic vision to enhance specialised services, build national expertise, and improve the quality and safety of healthcare provided to the community in the Sultanate of Oman.