Muscat: The Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed that it has taken several steps to curb the costs of healthcare services. To that extent, the Ministry laid out a well–researched methodology, for an investment strategy to find permanent alternatives for the health funding.

The Ministry is encouraging investments in existing healthcare facilities. The Government has been leading a policy of free healthcare in the public healthcare system since, the commencement of the blessed reign of the previous Sultan – The Late HM Sultan Qaboos. This policy, led to the spillover demand for free healthcare, overall. Given the population growth of 2.53% and stagnant funding levels, the investment plan is a step in the right direction towards meeting the expectation of the public as well as unburdening the government from financial responsibilities.

With the rising rate of chronic diseases among the populace and rising ailments in the aging segment due to lifestyle choices combined with a hefty price tag that accompanies modern medicine and its allied technologies, the financial strain on the healthcare system is reaching a critical point.

Notable measures taken to remediate the effect of costs are encouraging and building up of the private healthcare system which will bear multiple incentives for investors as well as opportunities to refund the fees for healthcare services.