Plans are being finalised for setting up Oman’s first private-led Spine & Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre ‘semi-trauma centre’ at a cost of OMR40 million ($104 million).

Insurance industry stalwart and anchor investor Murtadha Al Jamalani, who is a former Chairman of the Insurance and Finance Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said the state-of-the-art facility will be set up in the Majz el Sughra, Wilayat of Saham in North Batinah Governorate, a Times of Oman report said.

The proposed partner for the ‘semi-trauma centre’ will be VAMED Group, the Austria-based integrated global provider of healthcare solutions.

Finalising stakes

“As we speak, the shareholders are finalising their respective stakes and coming up with their equity contributions,” said Al Jamalani.

“Once this process is completed, work on the design & constructions engineering and government approvals will take about six-month before construction work begins on the project. Our goal is to bring the centre into operation by around year mid-2025.”

The proposed venture will represent a significant boost to the government’s goal to tap private investment in the country’s healthcare sector with a view to easing the heavy burden currently being shouldered by public health services. In the field of trauma care, an outsized burden currently falls on Khoula Hospital, the nation’s only national trauma care centre in Governorate of Muscat.

Well-equipped semi-trauma care facility

According to Al Jamalani, a licence to set up and operate a modern, well-equipped semi-trauma care facility specialising in the treatment and rehabilitation of orthopaedic and spinal injuries initial application request has already been registered at the Ministry of Health.

At the same time, the promoters are exploring the potential to develop the project on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis in line with the government’s Oman Vision 2040 strategy to enlist the support of the private sector in the funding of key infrastructure and civil services.

The facility, when operational, will also go a long way in meeting the needs of trauma care in a country that continues to record a relatively high incidence of severe traffic accidents.

Industrial, sports injuries

Industrial and sports injuries in addition to referral cases resulting in a steady stream of casualties requiring surgery, treatment, hospitality and rehabilitation.

Furthermore, with the rollout of the Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme (Dhamani) due to be progressively expanded, the private healthcare sector will need to be suitably geared to receive policyholders requiring health services, the insurance industry veteran points out.

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