Muscat - The total number of health institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health (MOH) until the end of last year is 263, including 50 hospitals with a capacity of 4,954 beds, apart from 21 health complexes, and 192 health centers, according to the Ministry’s annual health report for the year 2022.
The report indicated an increase in the number of visits to outpatient clinics of health institutions, reaching about 14.9 million visits, with about 41,000 visits per day, while the total discharge from inpatient departments reached about 295,000 patients, with a bed occupancy rate of 59.6 percent.
According to the report, last year witnessed a decline in the crude birth rate to reach 15.7 live births per thousand population, compared to 20.7 in 2015.
The infant mortality rate also decreased from 9.5 deaths per thousand live births in 2015 to 8.8 during the year 2022, and the mortality rate decreased. Mothers also reached 17.1 deaths per 100,000 live births for the same period.
The report showed that infection rates of infectious diseases have decreased to low levels, and this is due to the existence of an immunization program, especially for young people, where immunization rates exceed 98 percent.
The report pointed out that 12 people donated kidneys and 10 people donated livers, and in return 13 kidney transplants and 10 liver transplants were performed, and more than 79,000 different surgical operations were performed.
The report indicated that about 37.9 percent of outpatient morbidity was due to infectious diseases, while non-communicable diseases represented 43.5 percent, and the number of cases sent for treatment abroad rose to 1,040 sick cases.
The report explained that 11,600 cases of injury in outpatient clinics and accident and emergency departments were due to traffic accidents, with 3,164 cases occurring, and the number of deaths reaching 188.
According to the report, the total number of births in health institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health reached about 60,000 births, while the total number of patients receiving dialysis reached 2,436 patients, and the number of beds reached 449 beds in which more than 334,000 dialysis sessions were performed.
The report shows a decline in the crude birth rate in 2022 to reach 15.7 live births per thousand population, compared to 20.7 in 2015. The infant mortality rate also decreased from 9.5 deaths per thousand live births in 2015 to 8.8 in 2022.
The report showed a decrease in the maternal mortality rate as well, reaching 17.1 deaths per 100,000 live births for the same period, and despite the decrease in the Ministry of Health’s recurring expenses in 2022 by more than 3 percent compared to 2015, the Ministry is striving to strengthen primary and specialized health care programs. As well as preventive and rehabilitative health.
The report highlights the efforts of the Ministry of Health to add many health services in health institutions to improve the quality of health services provided at all levels, as there are 27 dialysis units and 13 blood donation units.
The total workforce in the health sector, according to the report, is about 59 thousand employees, with an Omanization rate of 71 percent. In some job categories, the percentage reached 95 percent or more, such as dentists, pharmacists, pharmacist assistants, health assistants, and nursemaids.
The report shows the Ministry’s efforts to contain measles, as only five cases were recorded in 2022, noting that no cases were recorded during 2020 and 2021.
A decrease in the incidence of hepatitis was also recorded, and the Sultanate of Oman has remained free of polio since 1993.
Diphtheria since 1992 and neonatal tetanus since 1992.
The report confirms that the rates of infection with other infectious diseases have decreased to low levels, and one of the reasons that led to the decline in the rates of some infectious diseases is the presence of the immunization program - especially for younger groups - where the rates of immunizations during the year 2022 exceed 98 percent.
On the other hand, the report indicates a significant increase in dengue fever, with cases reaching 1,989 cases, as a result of which the Ministry is cooperating with the relevant authorities to combat the Aedes mosquito (the carrier of this disease).
The report shows the Ministry’s efforts to maintain the health of school students, as 98 percent of first and second-grade students underwent oral and dental examinations.
The report also indicates that the Ministry’s efforts in student immunizations reach about 100 percent, in addition to environmental health activities, drinking water quality, and health conditions and nutrition for students, in addition to mental health.
Statistical data for patients admitted to hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health indicate that about 13 out of every 10,000 residents were hospitalized due to ischemic heart disease, also called coronary heart disease (CHD) during the year 2022, seven out of every 10,000 residents due to febrile infectious diseases (respiratory tract infections, mononucleosis, dengue, malaria, and typhoid fever including COVID-19), and six out of every 10,000 residents are hospitalized due to diabetes and about two out of every 10,000 residents due to high blood pressure diseases.
The report showed a decrease in the number of deaths in hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health during the year 2022 (4,287 deaths) compared to the year 2021 (6,110 deaths), a decrease of 29.8 percent.
It is noteworthy that the health report issued annually by the Ministry of Health, represented by the Department of Information and Statistics, contains many indicators related to health and health services provided, and highlights the Ministry’s interest in developing its health services with primary and specialized health care provided in all health institutions spread throughout the Sultanate of Oman.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
