Nod for first IVF centre in Sultanate

Muscat, August 15 - A proposal to establish an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre at the Wattayah Health Centre at a cost of RO 500,000 has been approved. In his reply to the Majlis Ash’shura, the Minister of Health said that the Supreme Council of Planning had accorded approval for the first IVF centre. The Ministry of Finance is still looking at government funding for the centre. Otherwise, it would be handed over to the private sector. Meanwhile, according to a response received by Majlis Ash’shura from the Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, the budget for ministries of education and health stand at 41 per cent of the total ministries’ expenses for 2017. On a request for a detailed list for this year’s budget, the minister also said the financial support provided to government companies was based on economic, social and service considerations. He said the companies had been asked to increase revenues and reduce costs. Zainab al Nassri