Muscat: Today, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued three Royal decrees.
Royal Decree No. 10/2024 defines the specialties of the Ministry of Health and approves its organizational structure. According to Article (1), the specialties of the Ministry of Health will be defined in accordance with Annex (1) attached to this decree. Furthermore, Article (2) endorses the organizational structure of the Ministry of Health as outlined in Annex (2) attached to this decree.
In addition, Article (3) revokes Royal Decree No. 36/2014 and Royal Decree No. 80/2020, along with any provisions that contradict or contravene this decree.
Lastly, Article (4) states that this decree will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into effect from the date of its issuance.
Moving on to Royal Decree No. 11/2024, it establishes the Medical University City and enacts its system of functioning. As per Article (1), an institution called "Medical University City" will be established. It will possess a legal character, enjoy financial and administrative autonomy, report to the Minister of Health, and be governed by the provisions of the system (law) attached to this decree.
Furthermore, Article (2) specifies that the Medical University City will be located in the Governorate of Muscat. However, the board of directors has the authority to establish branches in other governorates through a decision.
Lastly, Article (3) transfers all the assets, origins, rights, and obligations of the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, the Oman National Centre for Hematology and Marrow Transplantation, and the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre to the Medical University City.
The following is also mentioned:
- Employees in medical and paramedical positions from Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman National Centre for Hematology and Marrow Transplantation, and Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre will be relocated to the Medical University City. This includes their financial grades, allocations, job status, and other staff members from these institutions, along with their financial grades.
- The implementation of this provision will be carried out according to the approved mechanism and determinants by the board of directors of the Medical University City, in coordination with the Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University.
According to Article (4), the Medical University City will incorporate the following entities: civil government health institutions and their supporting government entities, which will be determined by a decision from the Council of Ministers based on a proposal from the board of directors of the Medical University City.
The transfer of allocations, assets, rights, and obligations of the mentioned institutions and entities, as well as the transfer of employees to the Medical University City, will be governed by the provisions of Article (3) of this decree, in coordination with the relevant authorities. This will take effect from the date of the Council of Ministers' decision, as stated in the first clause of this article (Article 4).
Article (5) stipulates that the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Medical University City is responsible for issuing the necessary regulations and decisions to implement the provisions of this decree and its accompanying system (law). Until such time, the existing regulations and decisions in effect at the institutions mentioned in Article (3) of this decree shall continue to be applied, unless otherwise specified, and without disregarding the provisions of those regulations/decisions.
Article (6) nullifies any conflicting provisions with this decree or its accompanying system, or any actions that contradict its provisions.
According to Article (7), this decree will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into effect from the date of its issuance.
Royal Decree No. (12/2024) regarding the appointment of officials to certain positions.
Article (1) designates the following appointments:
- Dr. Fatima Mohammed Baqir Al Ajmi as the Executive President of the Oman Medical Specialty Board, along with her corresponding rank and financial allocations.
- Dr. Ahmed Salim Saif Al Mandhari as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning and Health Organization.
- Sulaiman Nasser Khamis Al Hiji as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Administrative and Financial Affairs.
- Ahmed Saleh Sofian Al Rashdi as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.
- Mahmoud Abdullah Ahmed Al Owaini as the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance with a special rank.
Article (2) states that this decree will be published in the official gazette and will come into effect from its date of issuance.
