Sohar – Sohar Hospital started a cardiac catheter unit on Thursday. A specialised team from The Royal Hospital and Sohar Hospital performed the first two catheter procedures on the day.

H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, attended the opening of the unit along with H E Dr Said Harib al Lamki, Undersecretary for Health Affairs in the Ministry of Health.

H E Dr Sabti was briefed on the progress of work in expanding Sohar Hospital in preparation of new services catering to the people of North Batinah and nearby governorates.

Dr Najib al Rawahi, Director of National Heart Centre at The Royal Hospital, noted that opening of the cardiac catheter unit in Sohar Hospital is an important milestone.

Dr Rawahi added that the Ministry of Health is focused on improving therapeutic services in all governorates and that it is striving to introduce services currently available in Muscat, Dhofar and North Batinah to other governorates.

In this regard, Dr Talib al Maqbali, Director of Sohar Hospital, informed that these services will shorten waiting lists and referral procedures in the Muscat governorate.

Sohar Hospital referred about 300 patients annually to The Royal Hospital for cardiac catheter procedures. “Due to its population density, cases from North Batinah represent around 20 per cent of patients referred to Muscat.”

The cardiac catheter unit is part of the expansion project and services development in Sohar Hospital. The unit consists of two rooms equipped with the latest equipment and technologies for cardiovascular procedures. An admission ward with 22 beds has been developed for post-cardiac catheter procedures, as well as a cardiac care unit equipped with 12 beds.