How a ‘patient first’ policy helps KIMS differentiate itself
Dr Sheriff Sahadulla, executive director, also said that the healthcare sector in Oman, specifically in Muscat, is evolving at a rapid pace
Being a leading healthcare provider in Oman, how does KIMS Healthcare Group view the overall growth of the healthcare sector in Oman?
The healthcare sector in Oman, specifically in Muscat, is evolving at a rapid pace. The ongoing growth in the healthcare sector is the result of the long-term vision of the country’s leadership. New projects have stimulated a flurry of investments in the country thereby creating a ripple effect and ultimately benefiting the economy.
The healthcare landscape in the sultanate as well as in the region is transforming – mainly driven by changing consumer behaviours and needs. At one level, with increasing per capita incomes, affordability is increasing and hence, the need for convenience and high end customer service. At another level, the rapid increase in lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, hypertension, etc as well as an ageing population, has put close monitoring of health in the forefront. Hence, the healthcare needs of the community are expected to rise significantly.
Needless to say, today, patients can choose from a variety of hospitals, medical centres and specialty care centres. However, what ultimately defines the healthcare space presently is the efficiency, expertise and patient experience. Also, the ongoing trends are expected to impact the cost of healthcare, ultimately benefiting the patients.
As a leading healthcare provider in Oman, KIMS Healthcare Group has always been in forefront of identifying such trends and have undertaken the necessary changes to rise up to the new challenges by providing consistent quality in everything we do.
Can you please tell us about your operations in Oman (Muscat and Duqm)?
We have a total of two units in Oman i.e., KIMS Oman Hospital (KOH) in Muscat and KIMS Medical Complex in Duqm (KMCD).
KOH is a 50-bedded multispecialty hospital with inpatient and outpatient services and a pharmacy. It offers world-class services dedicated to cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, general medicine, women’s health, rheumatology, urology, pediatrics, general surgery, dermatology, endocrinology, ENT, gastro-enterology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, family medicine, plastic and cosmetic surgery, dentistry and others. Our services also include physiotherapy, laboratory, X-ray, radiology, and pharmacy.
KIMS Medical Complex Duqm is a branch of KOH and has been launched as a multispecialty complex providing an array of services to the local population in addition to dedicated medical care to the corpo- rates and industrial outfits in Duqm.
The complex will have outpatient services such as general practice and dentistry departments besides laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, ultrasound, triage, ER, minor procedures, visa medicals, health checkups and ambulance services. It will also provide doctors initially [in visiting capacity] for specialties such as orthopedics, general surgery, gynaecology, pediatrics, internal medicine and urology. How ready is KIMS Group Healthcare for new approaches such as preventive care services?
This is the age of information and today’s customer is an aware individual who first does adequate research before selecting any kind of product or service. Earlier, people saw a doctor only when they were unwell. However, this trend has changed now and an aware customer is willing to undertake preventive checks to ensure his healthy. At KIMS we provide a range of check-ups that help patient to determine their health status periodically. There is also a need to increase cancer screening programmes such as – colon, cervical, prostrate, breasts, etc.
What kind of medical specialties do you feel need to be introduced in Oman?
Oncology is one of the most important specialties that needs to be introduced in Oman in addition to cardiovascular and lifestyle related specialties.
How has technology changed healthcare delivery model? How is KIMS Group adopting to it?
Evolving technology will be instrumental in exponential growth of healthcare services. Already, home monitoring is becoming so widely accessible. Mobiles can accurately track your heart rate and blood pressure. Plenty of wearable devices are available which can track various vital signs. All these gadgets can be linked to hospital information management systems. In many cases, you don’t even need to go to the hospital. Video chats with doctors have become a reality.
At KIMS, we are constantly adopting and implementing technological advancements with a view of achieving efficiency and enhancing of customer appeal. We believe in connecting with our patients and have established innovative tools and multiple touch points to undertake the same. Our Group’s motto of – putting patients first – is being realised with unique programmes that stand to enhance information flow and increase accessibility. Also, we believe in constantly engaging with the customer; our KOH Patient Portal is one of the example of increased customer focus and connectivity.
Some of the noteworthy initiatives taken include establishment of online Patient Portal and Diabetes Clinic at KOH. While the Patient Portal allows customers to check their laboratory and radiology results online, the Diabetes Clinic, offers long-term multi-disciplinary management and planned supervision of diabetic conditions.
Can you briefly touch upon your overall operations in the GCC region?
As a Group, our operations are spread in India and the GCC region with nine hospitals and eight medical centres. Specifically in GCC, we have two hospitals and seven medical centres namely - Royal Bahrain Hospital (Salmaniya, Bahrain), KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre (Umm Al Hassan, Bahrain), RBH Medical Centre (Riffa, Bahrain), KIMS Oman Hospital in (Muscat, Oman), KIMS Medical Complex (Duqm, Oman), Jarir Medical Centre (Riyadh), Suncity Polyclinic (Jubail), KIMS Qatar Medical Centre (Wakra, Qatar) and KIMS Dubai Medical Centre (Dubai).
What kind of standards has the KIMS Healthcare Group achieved for its unit in Oman until now?
We believe in delivering quality in everything we do. KIMS Oman Hospital is accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI), an international body for recognising and approving of quality standards and process.
Also, within GCC, our units that have received ACHSI accreditation are: Royal Bahrain Hospital (RBH), KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre (KBMC) and RBH Medical Centre (RBHMC), Suncity Polyclinic Ltd (Saudi Arabia) and KIMS Qatar Medical Centre (Qatar). Also, our Royal Bahrain Hospital and RBH Medical Centre has recently received the prestigious Diamond Level Accreditation from the National Health Regulatory Authority.
What is your view on the rising competition in the healthcare sector? How does KIMS differentiate itself?
Healthy competition is always welcome as it stands to bring out the best. At KIMS, we put the patient first and our value chain has been built to provide the best clinical services at all the time.