MUSCAT: The Ministry of Health affirmed that it had taken several measures to reduce the cost of healthcare services. The ministry laid down a well-studied methodology for an investment strategy to find permanent alternatives for the health funding.
The ministry encourages investment in the existing healthcare facilities and strives to overcome the challenges facing investment in the health sector such as the slow cooperation of the competent authorities, the poor business environment and government subsidy as well as the shortage of qualified cadres in the field of health economic studies.
The ministry said in a statement that the public healthcare system in the Sultanate has been providing free health services to citizens since the outset of the blessed Renaissance. Such a political commitment has played a great role in uplifting the health situation in the Sultanate and achieving high rates in health development and this has earned the Sultanate commendation from international organisations. On the other side, there has been an increasing demand for free health services and often an unjustified use of these services. Also, the demand for health services has grown alongside a population increase of 2.53 per cent but the annual budget allocated to the ministry has remained unchanged.
The ministry said that in 2019, the total government spending on health services was 82 per cent of the overall health expenditure. The ministry’s net spending represented 66 per cent of the total cost calculations while health spending per person was estimated at RO 84.
Over the past two decades, the healthcare system experienced a new challenge as the epidemiological map in the Sultanate changed from severe infectious diseases that require a short period of time to cure, to chronic diseases associated with lifestyle and ageing the treatment of which is too costly. Besides, the progress in medical technology has imposed a high cost on the healthcare system.
Among the most notable measures taken by the ministry of health to reduce the cost of health services are those related to the alternatives for funding health services in terms of refunding the fees on health services, privatization of health services, encouraging the private sector to invest in the healthcare sector in order to reduce the burden from the government such as the financial support for investment in the healthcare sector which will be enacted to encourage investment in the healthcare sector.
A 20-YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS
The Ministry of Health (MOH), represented by the Health Community Initiatives Department issued a book titled “Health Committees; a 20-year of Achievements” that documents the health committees march.
These committees are a unique model for sectoral cooperation to enhance health. The joint intersectoral action for health is a coordinated action that aims to promote people’s health and improve their lifestyle, positively affecting health determinants. it is also considered as a key factor in achieving justice in distributing health services. In addition, the intersectoral action also contributes to promoting partners’ capacity to deal with complicated health issues, activating partnership with the community, and utilising the available opportunities in achieving sustainable development goals by joining efforts, resources, and experiences to achieve significant results.
CRITERIA OF HEALTH SERVICES
The Ministry of Health, represented by the Directorate General of Planning and Studies (DGPS) organised a virtual workshop on Sunday to discuss the modern criteria of health services with the participation of specialists and health workers from various governorates of the Sultanate.
Dr Halima bint Qalam al Hinaiyah, DGPS Director-General, affirmed that the health policy in the Sultanate attaches great attention to providing health services and distributing them equitably for all community members regardless of the social and economic status and geographic location. She added that the Government is committed to providing a high level of health services for all populations in the governorates.
(with inputs from ONA)
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