Oman invested over OMR1bn in healthcare sector

Muscat: The Ministry of Health in Oman has reported a substantial investment in the healthcare sector for 2023, with expenditures surpassing OMR1 billion.

It represents a 24.6% increase from the previous year, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and services across the Sultanate, according to the Ministry’s annual health report 2023.

In addition to the financial investment, the Ministry conducted a total of 86,955 surgical operations throughout the year, with 39,976 surgeries performed on males and 46,979 on females.

The Ministry’s 2023 annual health report revealed that the number of hospitals in Oman increased to 92, providing 7,691 hospitalisation beds. This increase improved the bed-to-population ratio to 14.9 beds per 10,000 people, up from 14.7 in 2022.

The largest portion of the increased spending was allocated to ongoing development projects, including the establishment and expansion of hospitals and other health institutions.

These enhancements have also contributed to significant improvements in key health indicators, such as reduced infant and child mortality rates.

The report showcased notable improvements in mortality rates, reflecting the positive impact of enhanced healthcare services.

The infant mortality rate dropped to 8.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, compared to 8.8 in 2022.

Similarly, the mortality rate for children under five years of age decreased from 11.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 10.8 in 2023. Overall, the death rate in Oman reduced to 1.7 deaths per 1,000 people, signifying improvements in general health and medical care.

The maternal mortality rate reached 19.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, with a lower rate of 17.5 deaths per 100,000 live births among Omani mothers, highlighting advancements in maternal health services and prenatal care.

The report indicated that the total number of health institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health at the end of 2023 stood at 265, comprising 50 hospitals (with 5,024 beds), 21 health complexes, and 194 health centres.

The Ministry’s efforts to expand and improve healthcare services have been key in raising the quality of healthcare across Oman.