With the participation of more than (97) participants from the private sector and other related sectors from the government institutions and authorities, the investment laboratory for the health sector kicked off today (Sunday) at Sheraton Hotel.

The investment laboratory for the health sector is organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH) with the support of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit and in cooperation with Oman National Investment Program "Nazdaher".

The launching of the investment lab was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Fatma bint Mohammed Al-Ajmi, MOH Undersecretary for Administrative, Financial & Planning Affairs, with the attending of a number of directors general and representatives of relevant government and private stockholders.

The four-week lab aims to develop investment in the health sector by solving the challenges, streamlining procedures, and providing an attractive and enabling environment for investment, which will achieve the strategic target of the lab by raising investments and export volume in the health sector.     

H.E. Dr. Fatma Al-Ajmi stressed that health is the second priority out of the 12 priorities of Oman Vision 2040. The Vision's strategic direction in the health field is "creating a world-class standard leading health system" with the involvement of all actors from the government and private sectors and civil society.

The MOH Undersecretary for Administrative, Financial & Planning Affairs added that Oman Vision in the health sector includes five core objectives which are; promoting decentralization for health services with a transparent and accountable organizational structure, finding diversified and sustainable funding sources for the health sector, empowering the qualified national cadres and capabilities to lead the scientific research and health innovation, providing technical and medical services and systems, as well as proving preventive and curative high-quality health care at all levels.

Moreover, Al-Ajmi pointed out that the four pillars of the investment lab will focus on strengthening investment in the health sector by promoting investments in the medical industries, raising the quality of health services, strengthening the health sector, and promoting general enablers such as governance, innovation & techniques in health care and human resources development & streamlining procedures.

In this regard, Dr. Halima Al-Hina'i, Supervisor of implementation of the lab at the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, said that today is the real initiation for the investment laboratory for the health sector, which was preceded by a three-month hard work. She added that the lab includes several pillars that address the most critical opportunities and challenges facing investment in the health sector.  

Dr. Halima affirmed that the lab proceeded from fundamental principles and directives, most significantly the quality assurance, universal health coverage, and the quality of services that are important for the investor to achieve the strategic trends.

The lab focuses on health-related main activities through four pillars aimed at promoting investments in medical industries, raising the quality of health services, strengthening health, and promoting general enablers such as governance.

The pillar of strengthening health is designated to find and prepare an infrastructure enabling individuals to enjoy good health through various health, legislative, and social interventions. This pillar attracts domestic and foreign investments in promoting health by exploring investment opportunities to provide services that enhance healthy lifestyles and contribute to economic development.

The pillar of digital health and techniques and innovation is a comprehensive pillar to achieve the projects of the basic pillars (health services, strengthening health, pharmaceutical industries, and medical supplies), as well as achieving the strategic trends and overcoming challenges by creating more sustainable systems to keep pace with changes.

The pillar of human resources in the health sector is responsible for analyzing the situation of human resources and development opportunities related to investments in the health sector. It also designates to attract investments in developing educational and training programs to qualify the national cadres in order to meet the current and future requirements in the private sector.

The pillar of health services includes all health, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative services provided by the health institutions such as the government and private hospitals and medical centers and laboratories.    

It is worth mentioning that "Nazdaher" is one of the most important national programs of Oman Vision 2040. It is an intensive program to accelerate the improvement of investment business environment in the Sultanate of Oman, whether in the direct economic sectors or in the service and development sectors that have a chance to be an investment tributary for the national economy.