50:50 public-private partnership mooted

The private sector’s contribution is a meagre 19.9 per cent of the total expenditure on healthcare in the Sultanate, it was stated at a symposium on Wednesday.

Titled ‘Investment in the Health Sector’, it was organised by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa), under the auspices of Nasser Khamis al Jashmi, Under-secretary of Ministry of Finance.

Oman’s population has doubled from 2.3 million in 2003 to 4.5 million in 2015, accompanied by an increase in government expenditure on health sector, which bears 81.1 per cent of the total spending on healthcare, according to the ‘Guide to Investment in the Ministry of Health’ launched on the occasion.

It said the health costs have increased as a result of a rise in the cost of advanced therapeutic techniques needed for modern healthcare: medical equipment, medicines as well as treatment of chronic of diseases and their complications.

Dr Ali bin Talib al Hinai, MOH Under-secretary for Planning Affairs, in his speech, said a partnership between the public and private sector is necessary for a sustainable health system.

“The ministry is keen on building a 50:50 partnership with the private sector by 2050, in which spending on health services will be shared equally between them,” said Dr Al Hinai.