MUSCAT: Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, said that the number of patients sent abroad for medical treatment has dropped by approximately 49 per cent between 2023 and 2025 due to an expansion in specialised services within the Sultanate of Oman. The ministry is making great efforts to reduce waiting lists and is preparing to launch the National Centre for Virtual Health shortly.
In an interview with Oman Arabic Daily, sister publication of the Observer, Dr Al Sabti said that the number of patients sent abroad for medical treatment decreased from 779 to 398 during the same period, while the number of patients sent for treatment within the country increased from 536 to 1,417. He noted that the trend of sending patients abroad is currently confined to complex cases requiring technologies and expertise that are either unavailable locally or still being developed.
The minister attributed the prolonged waiting time to the increased demand for services and the challenges of managing patient flow, explaining that the solutions include improving appointment scheduling, simplifying procedures, and enhancing primary care. He said the virtual health centre will offer remote consultations, facilitating access to specialists and reducing the need for in-person visits.
The minister said that the ministry’s ongoing projects include Al Namaa Hospital in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, Samayil Hospital in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, Al Falah Hospital in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate, and Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Dhofar Governorate. This is in addition to plans to expand services and specialised centres.
The minister disclosed that 18 industrial projects are under construction, including 11 pharmaceutical factories, a pharmaceutical raw materials factory, and six factories for medical supplies and equipment. He also pointed to the Council of Ministers' approval for the implementation of a radioisotope and nuclear pharmacy factory project.
The ministry’s budget for 2026 hit RO 1 billion, while the Omanisation rate within the ministry stood at at 71.1 per cent by 2025, Dr Al Sabti, said stressing that prevention, localisation of specialised fields, and the training of national health professionals are among the ministry’s top priorities for the upcoming period.
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