New hospital in Oman to offer free consultation

Muscat : Patients at a new hospital in Oman will receive treatment for a zero consultation fee during the first month of operation, according to the medical group’s chairman.

Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, a well-established hospital chain in the GCC, will open its first premium polyclinic in Al Khuwair on September 29 with free-of-charge treatment until October 29, a senior official from the management.

“The hospital will have 24 specialists,” said Dr KT Rabeeullah, chairman and management director of the Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, adding that the group will also have a tie-up with leading hospitals in the GCC and India.

“In India, we will be tying up with Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH), the leading super specialty hospital in Kozhikode,” Dr Rabeeullah said.

“BMH has 800 beds and over 40 medical surgical departments,” BMH Chairman Dr KG Alexander disclosed.

According to Dr Rabeeullah, a special desk will function in Muscat to help those who plan to go to the South Indian state of Kerala for their medical and medical tourism needs.

“We have already discussed with the Indian mission in Oman and they are very cooperative.  We will also be operating a travel agency in order to provide Hassel free trip for the patients who are planning to travel to India” Dr Rabeeullah added.

Latest Indian embassy data revealed that till August end this year, 14,585 people from Oman had travelled to India on medical and medical attendant visas. In 2015, during the same period it was only 4,530, which reflects a 221 per cent jump.

According to the Indian embassy, Omanis and other foreign nationals travel to India for medical treatment as it has excellent facilities for the same. Moreover, Indian doctors are well-known for their competence and expertise and the cost of medical treatment in India is much lower than other countries.

Besides Dr KG Alexander, BMH Director Dr Vineeth Abraham, Chief Coordinator Overseas & Internal Relations Hisham Hassan attended the press conference. Also were present Shifa Al Jazeera Oman representatives including Executive Director & CEO Siddeeque Valiyakath, Global Personal General Manager Aslam Backer and Finance Controller KT Mohammed Yousuf.

The Saudi-based hospital chain said its Ruwi hospital – Shifa Al Jazeera Access Hospital with 140 beds – is aiming to make healthcare accessible to common man and shall be aligned with the slogan “Quality Healthcare Affordable to All”.  

It will be opened on December 31 with a consultation fee of One Omani Riyal for the first one year and 10pc of its profits will be set aside for charity. In addition, two ambulances will be dedicated for free service, said Chairman Dr Rabeeullah. 

The Group will also set up a super specialty hospital in Al Khoud and 10 polyclinics in various parts of Oman soon.