Muscat: The Ministry of Health (MoH) launched Medical Fitness Service (MFS) as an electronic certification system of medical reports for expatriates under the auspices of Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, at the ongoing COMEX 2024 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC).
Accordingly, with the MFS, non-residents can register themselves online for medical fitness test and registration facility will also be available through Sanad Offices. Documents can also be verified through Wafid platform.
The MFS aims to streamline procedures and ensure the integrity of medical examinations. Visa procedures can be completed through the Royal Oman Police (ROP) website as well. According to MoH, MFS will ensure better service while saving time and the service will be beneficial in preventing fake certificates.
Under the new system, there will be no need to take X-rays. Instead, IGRA test should be completed and it belongs to the category of blood tests. Also, traditionally, the fingerprint and photo of the candidate were uploaded using the respective software of the concerned visa medical institutions. However, through MFS , it is now possible to upload directly to the Ministry of Health.
Speaking to the Observer, Dr Mayabbu Beery of the Ruwi Hani Clinic in charge of Visa Medical, said effective on Tuesday, May 27, procedures for visa medical for expatriates have been changed and adherence to the same will help the clinics save time and efforts.
"As per the new system, an expatriate needs to have a PKI-enabled SIM card which is available from their respective telecom operator and needs to be activated and linked with the resident card at the Sanad offices and this is a one-time activity," he said.
Once activated, the expatriate can avoid visiting Sanad offices to register for the medical fitness examination as it can be done online, including payment for the service. "The rest of the procedures remain the same including getting the examination done at the medical centre," said another leading clinic that conducts medical services for visa.
Oman necessitated medical test for visa based on the Gulf Health Council standards that aims to evaluate the health and fitness of expatriates to ensure that they are medically fit to work and free from infectious diseases.
One can log on to MedicalCertificate.in, submit details and wait for a certified Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) to reach out if any further details required. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has earlier launched self-service registration for expatriates, who have to undergo medical fitness examination while renewing their visa.
This service was introduced to allow expatriates and companies to easily obtain the results of medical examinations to renew residency or obtain residency cards from service centres in civil affairs, and also while obtaining visas for the first time or renewing the same.
Authorities have said that with this online service, better transparency, eliminating counterfeit reports, and saving time and effort in issuing medical reports through electronic linkage with the Royal Oman Police are ensured.
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