Muscat – The Ministry of Health, through the Directorate General of Health Services in Muscat, has launched the Basmat Shifa (Smile of Healing) project, a public-private partnership initiative to enhance oral and dental healthcare in Oman.

The project involves the establishment of a dedicated facility housing eight specialised oral and dental clinics. It is funded by private institutions as part of a community partnership through the Health Endowment Foundation (Athar), the Seeb Zakat Committee, and the Al Seeb Charity Team.

The initiative was inaugurated by Ahmed bin Ali al Shehhi, wali of Seeb.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Samira Musa al Maimani, Director General of Health Services in Muscat, noted that this project aims to improve access to specialised dental care, enhance the quality of services, and reduce waiting times through an upgraded appointment system and electronic services.

Dr Samira added that the initiative focuses on ensuring a sustainable supply of medical resources, optimising their utilisation, and creating a modern healthcare environment to improve patient satisfaction and minimise complaints.

Hilal bin Hamad al Sarmi, Executive Director of the Health Endowment Foundation, stated that the project’s total cost is estimated at RO150,000.

“The design and technical drawings are complete, and construction is scheduled to begin in March, with completion expected by early 2026,” he said.