Salalah,
A high rate of progress has been made in construction works in projects to establish, develop and expand 9 hospitals and health centres in the wilayats of Dhofar Governorate. The projects are being implemented by the Ministry of Health to the tune of RO 160 million.
The Ministry of Health said that the projects currently being implemented in Dhofar Governorate include 3 new hospitals in the Wilayats of Salalah, Maqshan and Thamrait, in addition to expansion works at Taqah Hospital and Awqad Health Centre (second phase).
Other projects include the establishment of a health centre in the Wilayat of Shaleem W’al-Halaniyat Islands, Mudhi Health Centre in the Wilayat of Thamrait, the opening of Al Mazyouna Hospital and the completion of expansion works in the Western Salalah (Salalah Al-Gharbia) Health Centre.
The Ministry of Health is also planning to implement 10 projects in Dhofar Governorate over the next two years (2025 and 2026) to augment efficiency of existing health institutions in line with the population increase in other wilayats and governorates.
Eng. Yousef Yaqoub Ambu-Ali, Director General of Projects and Engineering Services at the Ministry of Health, told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the completion rate of the new Sultan Qaboos Hospital project in Salalah stood at 48 percent. The project, which costs RO 138 million, features the latest medical equipment and comprises specialized clinics, treatment units and pathology labs, he added.
Eng. Yousef said that the Ministry of Health completed the expansion of a health centre in Western Salalah (Salalah Al Gharbia). The project cost RO 59,000, he explained, noting that the Ministry is currently working on the expansion of Awqad Health Centre in the Wilayat of Salalah (construction rate at 25 percent so far).
A project to upgrade “Thamrait Health Centre” into a local hospital reached 60 percent of construction. The project, which costs RO 1.1 million, is funded by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).
He also pointed out that another project to establish “Maqshan Hospital” in Dhofar Governorate is in its final stages. He added that the project (99 percent of which has been completed) costs about RO 1 million. The project is being funded by the private sector within PDO’s Social Responsibility Programmes, he added.
Work is currently underway to expand Taqah Hospital (with construction work at 55 percent). It is expected to be completed in early 2025, according to the Director General of Projects and Engineering Services.
A project to establish the “Wilayat of Shaleem W’al Halaniyat Health Centre” is nearing completion (99 percent), said Ambu-Ali, noting that the project costs RO 981,000 and that it is expected to be operational before the end of 2024.
Three new health centres are scheduled to be set up in the Wilayat of Salalah in the areas of Sahalnout, Qairoun Hairiti and Al Murooj, said Ambu-Ali, adding that a project to establish Sadah Hospital has been included in the Ministry’s future plans, while preliminary designs are being prepared to expand Mirbat Hospital.
Ambu-Ali added that tender documents are being prepared to upgrade the efficiency of the level of “Shahab Asaib Health Centre” in the Wilayat of Rakhyut to that of a “local hospital”.
He also pointed out that work is underway to finalize contracting procedures to establish Dhalkut Hospital. He added that the Ministry of Health is planning to establish the western area hospital (Al Mantika Al Gharbia Hospital) to serve citizens and residents in the Wilayats of Rakhyut and Dhalkut and parts of the Wilayat of Al Mazyouna within the year 2025.
Dhofar Governorate has a total of 45 health institutions, including the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah.
— Ends/Bishara/AG
