Pact to reduce waiting list of eye surgeries

Muscat: The Ministry of Health on Wednesday signed a cooperation and support programme to implement the social initiative “Ibsar”.

The initiative, which will help reduce waiting lists for eye surgeries, includes conducting 1,000 eye surgeries at private hospitals, starting from January 2023.

The programme was signed by Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health and the sons and daughters of Sheikh Suhail Bahwan (Omar, Othman, Ali and their sisters).

The humanitarian initiative targets ophthalmic patients in the waiting lists according to the earliest appointment and urgent need for surgery. “Ibsar” covers expenses of surgery, medical care, and medication, in addition to post-surgery follow up appointments.

The Ministry of Health began at an earlier time an extensive campaign to shorten the accumulating appointments for a number of services, including radiology and outpatient clinics’ appointments in the Ministry’s health institutions.

Moreover, the Ministry seeks to promote cooperation with the private health institutions and expand the role of community partnership in tackling challenges that face the health sector in a bid to provide optimal health services.