Oman imports 93 per cent of its medical supplies

Muscat: Oman imports more than 93 per cent of its medical supplies, local media has reported, highlighting flaws in its health care system.

An official at the Ministry of Health told Gulf News that it was currently conducting studies to come up with effective methods to reduce dependence on imported materials.

“The current system is threatening the sustainability of Oman’s health care system,” he said. The imported items include pharmaceutical, surgical and laboratory materials.

Lack of regular funding for health research in the country is also affecting the health care system. The ministry has urged the government to allocate 0.2 per cent of its gross domestic product for health research.

It also sought other ways to fund the ministry, including imposing taxes on tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceutical industry and airlines.

Oman also needs to recruit more qualified medical staff, an area in which it is currently falling short.

The study suggests that by 2050 there should be an additional 7,000 doctors in the country to meet the needs of its residents.

Currently only 29 per cent of the country’s doctors are Omani nationals, while the rest are expatriates.

Oman aims to build more than 10,000 new health facilities by 2050, as a part of Oman’s new Health Vision plan.