The Sohar Hospital started today (Thursday) the operation of the Cardiac Catheter Unit services. A specialized team from the Royal Hospital and Sohar Hospital performed today's first two catheter procedures.

H.E. Dr. Hilal bin Ali bin Hilal Al-Sabti, Minister of Health, attended the first phases of operating the Cardiac Catheter Unit along with H.E. Dr. Said Harib Al-Lamki, Undersecretary of Ministery of Health for Health Affairs. The Minister of Health was briefed on the work progress and final stages of total expansion in Sohar Hospital in preparation for new services targeting the people of North Al-Batinah Governorate and nearby governorates.

Dr. Najib Al-Rawahi, Director of the National Heart Center at the Royal Hospital, pointed out that operating the Cardiac Catheter Unit in Sohar Hospital is an important milestone at all levels, where it will serve the people of North Al-Batinah and nearby governorates.

Al-Rawahi added that the Ministry of Health seeks to improve the therapeutic services in all governorates, indicating that the service will include the other hospitals, similar to what has been achieved in Muscat, Dhofar, and North Al-Batinah Governorates.

In this regard, Dr. Talib Al-Maqbali, Director of Sohar Hospital, stressed that these services shortened the long waiting lists and referral procedures to Muscat Governorates.  

Dr. Talib Al-Maqbali stated that Sohar Hospital referred about (300) patients annually to the Royal Hospital for the cardiac catheter. Referred cases from North Al-Batinah Governorate represent a rate equal to (20%) of patients due to the population density and significant growth.

Running the Cardiac Catheter Unit is part of the expansion project and services development in Sohar Hospital. The Unit consists of two rooms equipped with the latest medical techniques for cardiovascular procedures. An admission ward (22 beds) was developed for post-cardiac catheter, as well as a cardiac care unit equipped with 12 beds.