Tuesday, March 19
03:47 PM

Private health institutions, OCCI discuss challenges

22 Sep 2021 By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) held a meeting with owners of private health institutions on Wednesday to discuss the challenges facing them and to find solutions to enable them adapt to the current economic situation in the sultanate.

The meeting was attended by Eng Redha Jumaa al Saleh, chairman of OCCI, and members of the chamber along with owners of private health institutions.

Eng Saleh welcomed the representatives of private health institutions and hailed their role in supporting the health sector particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended the contributions of these institutions in providing healthcare, treatment and preventive services, in collaboration with the public health sector.

He said, “The sultanate supports national and foreign investments in the health sector as part of the system to encourage investment in the country across different economic sectors. Foreign investment should be made in hospitals and specialised health centres to provide a qualitative addition to the health sector.

“The government encourages foreign investment aimed at adding value to national investments in the health field, noting that there is an urgent need for medical expertise in the secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions.”

Eng Saleh informed that the meeting was held with a view to promoting partnership with the private health sector and enhancing its role in supporting the health sector in the sultanate. “At OCCI, we strive to set visions and make suggestions to develop various sectors, including the private health sector. These private medical and health institutions play a significantly important role in providing treatment services and taking them to the levels we aspire to.”

At the meeting, businessmen expressed the importance of investing in large health projects. They confirmed that these play a role in opening new opportunities for qualified national staff who are graduating from higher education institutions in the sultanate and from abroad.

The meeting also discussed the importance of involving OCCI in decision making in the health field. It also touched on the fees imposed on private health institutions and the need to reconsider these to ensure the sustainability of the work of health institutions.

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