Health sector needs more investment: MoH

Muscat: Spending on the health sector must exceed three per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health has said.
On Monday morning, The Health and Environmental Committee of the Shura Council hosted His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Taleb Al-Hinai, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning Affairs, and a number of officials from the Ministry of Health. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Ali bin Khalfan Al Qataiti, Chairman of the Committee.
Dr. Al Hinai pointed out that the expenditure of the health sector is doubling annually for several reasons, including comprehensive coverage and the cost of medicines and medical devices.
“Spending on the health sector must exceed three per cent of GDP, and this can be done by creating a mechanism to support the health sector, with the participation of the private sector in the provision of health care,” Dr. Al Hinai explained.
“Investment in this sector does not constitute a burden on the citizen and income, as it is not only limited to infrastructure, but also includes investment in medicines, medical supplies and medical devices,” he added.
His Excellency also stressed the need to review the laws and legislation that limit and impede investment in various fields, including the health sector, and the need to link all involved parties to one-stop-shop for investment in the Sultanate, in order to facilitate procedures for investors.
Members of the Shura committee inquired about the scientific output and research contribution in the field of health, pointing out the importance of a scientific research base.
“The source of research is the academic institutions, and the results of such research must be pushed into the production stage in order to provide medicines and vaccines,” Dr. Al Hinai remarked.