The Ministry of Health ( MOH) represented by the department of Investment & Financing Alternatives (IFA) conducted today  Monday an introductory workshop about the recently-established department under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Al Saidi, Minister of Health at the Muscat Holiday.

The workshop was inaugurated by the Ministry’s speech delivered by Dr. Halima Qalam Al Hanai, Director of IFA in which she stated that Financing is one of the health system pillars; therefore, the significance of bringing in alternatives for financing has been taking into consideration in order to ensure health coverage, and the provision of sustainable high-quality services as well as reducing the burden.

The workshop aimed at spreading the culture of investment in health institutions-liable assets and introducing the Ministry’s Health Endowment (Waqf ) in coordination with the relevant government organizations under the frame of Integral partnership between the State’s different institutions. It highlighted the State’s orientation toward the promotion of public income resources. Moreover, the workshop aimed at identifying the department’s duties and specialties on the different levels. It also presented a paper on the Framed-Policies for Health System Funding.

Furthermore, The Health Endowment was underlined at the workshop, as it is an Islamic social system that proved its efficiency in supporting the health care by incorporating the its funds in the healthcare promotion thus reducing the burden on the government. It additionally ensures social solidarity and the responsibility towards the welfare of community members.  The health endowment includes several fields such as big and small hospital, medical equipment, pharmacy, medicine and health institute, and research centers and scientific research authorities.

In addition to the workshop, the event marked the launching of the first phase of the electronic program for investment in health sector. The e-Badael (alternatives) system (phase1), which was launched by the health minister, is one of the modern systems in the field of Investment and Financing Alternatives records management in the Sultanate health establishments. The system is distinguished as it works by the web technology and is linked to the e-health portal and the Geographic information system (GIS).

At the end of the workshop, H.E. the Minister toured the accompanying exhibition that included booklets on health endowment and health services financing, and displayed samples of health endowment boxes.

 It is worth noted that H.E. Health minister has issued a decision to form a team for visualizing alternatives for financing health services. The ministry has further adopted the concept of Exchange Development whereby a regulative entity was designated for investment and proposing policies, plans, and strategies for health care alternatives’ funding.