The Ministry of Health (MOH) launched recently Stroke Unit at Nizwa Hospital under the patronage of H.E. Shaikh Dr. Khalifa Hamad Al Sa’adi, Governor of Al Dakhelyah, with the presence of H.E. Sayyed Dr. Sultan Ya’rub Al Busaidi, MOH Advisor for Health Affairs.

H.E. Sayyed Dr. Al Busaidi emphasized the importance of introducing such units in the Sultanate’s central hospitals in order to ensure a top level of the provided medical services for stroke patients, developing it to cope with the latest internationally followed treatments.  Dr. Al Busaidi has further underlined the continuance of introducing the advancements to provide interventional radiology for stroke patients in Nizwa hospital.

Prior to its operation, the Stroke Unit was provided with Stroke Protocol and nurses were trained at the Central Stroke Unit. Moreover, visits were conducted to the hospital to stress the significance of forming stroke team and preparing lists of requirement and needed device. In addition, the hospital was supplied with the Tissue Plasminogen Activator – TPA.

Furthermore, the Ministry has recruited group of nurses to promote these units. A number of 15 nurses are currently being trained and prepared at the Khoula Hospital Central Stroke Unit.

During the launching ceremony, Dr. Khalifa Hamad Al Shaqsee, Director of Nizwa hospital pointed out that since its primary opening in April, the Unit received 145 stroke patients where 19 patients were given TPA, one patient per each month according to the followed standards and policies concerning methods of dealing with it. Additionally, two Neurosurgeries were performed to emergency cases.  

The Stroke Unit comprised number of (6) beds, 3 beds for males and 3 beds for females. It is equipped with necessary medical and electronic devices for screening as per global standards.