COVID-19: New restrictions announced in Oman to help curb spread
Health centres shut, unnecessary surgeries suspended, leave for health workers denied
Muscat: Oman’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has put into action a set of measures to bring COVID-19 infection numbers down in the Dhofar Governorate.
DGHS’s Epidemiological Preparedness Committee has decided to close three health centres in Salalah, namely Al-Dahariz Health Centre, New Salalah Health Centre and Hajif Health Centre to support the staff working at Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah in the wake of the growing COVID-19 cases in the hospital.
It has also been decided to temporarily suspend all unnecessary surgeries, stop granting leave permissions for health workers, prevent visits at Sultan Qaboos Hospital, and reduce work in specialized clinics by up to 30 per cent.
Additionally, the administrative and technical staff working in the Medical Fitness Examination Center have been redirected to work in the hospital since the centre has been closed as well temporarily. These changes along with the re-introduction of the hospital’s shift schedule is expected to ease the mounting pressure on medical service staff.
Regular medications
Regular patients have been contacted, and announcements have been published showing new appointment schedules in the specialised clinics of Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah. The patients have also been made aware of using the WhatsApp service for regular medications.
All primary health care institutions have been divided into two parts with one part allocated for checking patients with COVID-19 symptoms, and the other part for attending patients with other diseases. A further step to limit the spread.
The epidemiological investigation team at the General Directorate of Health Services of Dhofar Governorate will continue to monitor and investigate cases of COVID-19 in the governorate.