Per capita health spend below $800

Ministry of Health mulls increase in licence fee for pharmacies

MUSCAT: As part of rationalisation of expenditure and to find alternative sources for revenue generation, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the government, is mulling to increase licence fee for healthcare institutions and pharmacies.

“A proposal in this regard has already been sent to the authorities concerned for approval,” said Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health.

While confirming that the rise will not affect citizens in any manner, the minister opined that the review of fees should have been done years ago.

“Once raised, the move will help the ministry meet part of the cost incurred for issuing licences as well as motivate the applicants to show seriousness,” Dr Al Saeedi said in an interview to Oman Arabic daily, sister publication of the Observer.

The minister disclosed that designing part of the health ministry’s projects in the Eight Five-Year Plan has already been completed.

At the same time, he admitted that the implementation of some of the projects are being delayed due to the present financial crisis arising out of fall in oil prices. According to Dr Al Saeedi, committees have been formed to study expenditure rationalisation and find alternative revenue sources.

“Work teams are currently reviewing other fees, however, the mainstream society won’t get affected in case of fee hikes as the individual income health condition will be taken consideration,” the minister said.

The minister admitted that some sections of the society have expressed their anguish over the ministry’s performance.

This, he said, “is despite the fact that the ministry has made many achievements for the benefit of the citizens”. Health spending in the Sultanate is low compared to other countries as the government spends less than $800 per capita health expenditures compared to $4,000 in Europe and 9,000 in the United States. and into