Muscat – The Ministry of Health is considering the prospect of reducing treatment fees in private health institutions.

Dr Muhanna al Maslahi, director general of Private Health Establishments, informed that a committee has been formed by the ministry, in cooperation with stakeholders, to study the possibility of reducing treatment fees in private health institutions in line with a government directive.

According to Dr Maslahi, private health institution visit numbers are very high in Oman. “Around 3mn patients visit private health institution annually; a large number of Omanis and expatriates have health insurance. This indicates the importance of the private health sector in the sultanate.”

With this in view, Dr Maslahi said, relevant authorities will regulate a pricing mechanism acceptable to all parties, “which will contribute to the expansion of the private health sector”.

The Ministry of Health, represented by several directorates, is currently working on implementing digital payments for all transactions at private health institutions. “A joint effort with all parties concerned is underway to simplify procedures that will contribute to the digital transformation process.”

He added that there are close to 1,600 health institutions in the sultanate, and 11 private hospitals are under construction.