Muscat: The Ministry of Health in Oman has announced a substantial investment in the healthcare sector for the year 2023, with expenditures exceeding OMR1 billion.
This represents a 24.6% increase from the previous fiscal year, highlighting the government's dedication to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services throughout the Sultanate, as detailed in the Ministry’s annual health report for 2023.
Furthermore, the Ministry facilitated a total of 86,955 surgical procedures throughout the year, with 39,976 surgeries conducted on males and 46,979 on females.
The Ministry’s 2023 annual health report disclosed that the number of hospitals in Oman has risen to 92, accommodating 7,691 hospital beds. This expansion has augmented the bed-to-population ratio, increasing from 14.7 beds per 10,000 people in 2022 to 14.9 in 2023.
A significant portion of the increased budget was allocated to ongoing development projects, including the establishment and expansion of hospitals and other healthcare institutions.
These developments have also led to notable improvements in key health indicators, such as a reduction in infant and child mortality rates.
The report highlighted significant improvements in mortality rates, demonstrating the positive impact of enhanced healthcare services.
The infant mortality rate decreased to 8.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, a decline from 8.8 in the previous year. Similarly, the mortality rate for children under five years of age fell from 11.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 10.8 in 2023. Overall, the death rate in Oman has decreased to 1.7 deaths per 1,000 people, indicating progress in general health and medical care.
The maternal mortality rate stood at 19.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, with a lower rate of 17.5 deaths per 100,000 live births among Omani mothers, underscoring advancements in maternal health services and prenatal care.
The report also revealed that the total number of health institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health at the end of 2023 increased to 265, encompassing 50 hospitals (with 5,024 beds), 21 health complexes, and 194 health centers.
The Ministry’s endeavors to expand and improve healthcare services have been instrumental in elevating the quality of healthcare across Oman.
