Efforts to ensure best treatment for the COVID-19 patients
ASSESSMENT: Health Minister visits Royal Hospital, commends services of staff
MUSCAT: Dr Ahmed Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, visited the Royal Hospital on Wednesday to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of its medical and administrative teams amid this extraordinary time, ensuring the hospital’s workflow.
The minister visited various departments including the intensive care unit, the paediatric postsurgery care unit, the critical care unit, the maternity ward, laboratory departments, pharmacy, gynaecology, the isolation department of patients with coronavirus (COVID-19), the departments of the National Oncology Centre and a number of other departments of the hospital.
The Minister of Health met the hospital’s administration staff and health workers, and listened to their suggestions and opinions on improving the quality of health services provided for patients, urging everyone to do their best during this critical time.
Dr Al Saeedi also visited a number of COVID-19 patients who are undergoing treatment where he checked on their health and the progress of the treatment process.
The minister appreciated the efforts of the medical staff who are playing a major role in limiting the fast spread of the virus, including physicians, nurses, medical assistant groups, engineers, administrators and others.
The minister pointed out the fact that the Sultanate had started preparations for COVID-19 response since the announcement of the disease in China where steps were taken to slow down its spread with the joint cooperation of all health workers and public. Till this moment, the epidemiological curve is still controllable alongside the expected continuous increasing growth in the number of cases.
Referring to the increase in the number of cases, Dr Al Saeedi attributed it primarily to some people’s non-compliance with instructions regarding staying at home and social distancing and secondly due to the intensified medical tests; therefore the increase is expected in this situation. The health minister hence urged all to remain at home and never go out unless absolutely necessary.
Speaking of figures, Dr Al Saeedi stated that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Sultanate till now has not exceeded 910 cases, the number of hospitals’ admissions is no more than 35cases and deaths stand at 4.
He noted that the Royal Hospital has a good capacity to accommodate more than 150 to 200 intensive care beds if necessary. However, there are basic health services such as obstetrics, gynaecological services, cancer services, heart services and emergency critical operations that should continue.