Muscat: The Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) has issued an important decision related to licensing private care centers for elderly people, which includes providing rehabilitation and recreational services, and a safe environment to gain skills during their free time.
The decision also seeks to encourage members of the community to volunteer to serve the elderly and help them play an active role in serving society.
Individuals and companies
Omanis above 25 years old, with financial solvency and a commercial register, and companies (registered with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), can apply for a license to set up a center.
The applicant must hold a university degree recognized in the Sultanate of Oman in one of the social or human sciences specializations.
The applicant must have been not sentenced to a felony or a penalty for a crime involving dishonesty or trustworthiness, even if his reputation has been restored.
Civil society organizations must be registered under the law and their areas of work or objectives must include serving the elderly.
Who is eligible to stay in a care center
The following conditions shall be met by the elderly occupant of the daycare center.
1. Not less than 60 years of age for both sexes, and it is permissible to place those who are younger in some cases approved by the competent authority, provided that the age in all cases is not less than 45 years.
2. To be free of infectious diseases, severe psychological disorders, and mental illnesses, which shall be proven by a medical report approved by the Ministry of Health.
3; Not to be dependent on medical devices for cardiac care or breathing.
The licensee or the director of the care center shall allow employees of the competent authority to enter the care center at any time and shall provide them with the necessary facilities to perform their duties and enable them to view the records, data, or information they request regarding the care center and the elderly who benefit from the service, and to view Camera recordings and taking copies of the recordings if necessary.
Requirements
The care center must meet technical requirements and specifications, and the applicant must provide a bank guarantee, except for civil society organizations, of RO3,000.
The decision includes imposing fines for failure to comply with the specified conditions in the range of RO500 and RO2,000.
Violations include working without a license.
The competent authority shall study the application for initial approval for the license after it has fulfilled the required documents, and decide on it within 30 days from the date of its submission.
If the required documents and conditions are not fulfilled within 180 from the date of submission of the application, the application shall be deemed canceled.
If the building does not meet the required requirements and specifications, the competent authority may grant the license applicant a period not exceeding 180 days to complete the deficiencies.
The applicant must choose a name for the care center that distinguishes it from other care centers, and the Ministry has the right to reject the name, and the rejection shall be justified.
The applicant is prohibited from announcing the opening of the care center for registration or practicing any activities in it before the license is issued.
The care center must provide periodic medical supervision and first aid to treat emergency cases and take the necessary procedures and measures for referral to health centers and institutions if required.
It cannot change the location or name of the care center or transfer the license to others, except after obtaining written approval from the competent authority.
The competent authority shall determine the number of workers in the care center in various fields according to its capacity, the type of service provided, and the nature of the elderly benefiting from the service. Direct work in the care center is not permitted except with written approval from the competent authority.
The following conditions apply to the location of the care center:
It must be in a suitable place, away from noise, and close to residential neighborhoods and public services.
It must be in a healthy environment, and meet the requirements of safety and public health.
It must be far from industrial facilities, high-voltage wires, flammable warehouses, or any materials harmful to public health.
It must not be in a low-lying area or one exposed to floods or collapse.
It must have its entrance, be equipped with ramps and supports, and not be shared with any other care center inside the building or with any other neighboring building in any facility or yard.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
