Omani doctor’s app to help cut healthcare cost
Called Locum’s Nest, the smart platform used by UK’s National Health Services, was developed by Dr Ahmed Shahrabani
Times News Service
MUSCAT: An app created by an Omani doctor which has helped the UK’s National Health Service save more than three million pounds could soon be used by the Omani Ministry of Health.
Locum’s Nest, a smart platform for health services, was developed by Dr Ahmed Shahrabani with the support of Innovation Development Oman Holding SAOC.
The app is used within the National Health Services (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK) to provide rotation services for doctors in various hospitals and so far, it has reached more than 10,000 doctors, with 20 hospitals currently benefiting from its services.
Dr Ahmed Shahrabani said, “I knew from the beginning that Locum’s Nest had promising prospects, but financing it was the only obstacle. This was overcome when IDO came on board. Now, only two years later, Locum’s Nest is currently one of the most widely deployed technological solutions in the healthcare sector within the UK. It has helped National Health Service hospitals save over three million pounds and achieve a high attendance rate for doctors’ shifts.”
According to Talal Hasan from IDO investment, plans are underway to bring the app into the Omani market. “We are delighted with the huge success of our investment in Locum’s Nest, which is a testament to the value of investing in start-up companies with innovative ideas,” Hasan said, “In the coming stages, we will look to bring this smart platform to the Omani market and maximise its benefits on the healthcare sector in the Sultanate.”
The Sultanate currently relies on external training of medical personnel to provide quality health care services in every Wilayat as the Ministry of Health sources doctors via the Ministry of Manpower, external agents and adverts on their website. However, Dr Shahrabani said they’ve come to realise that the current method is inefficient.
“This is where Locum’s Nest steps in, and it will be modified in order to benefit Omani hospitals by granting them access to specialist UK doctors. This, in turn, will allow them to come for 1-3 months of clinical placements with the focus on the primary areas of medicine required in Oman, which include those related to rural and expedition medicines. This will help transfer knowledge from specialist UK doctors to the local Omani hospitals.”