Health

Oman’s health care sector has undergone rapid development since 1970, with average life expectancy boosted to 76.6 years and the number of hospitals growing to 67 in 2014. The private sector has also witnessed expansion, with the authorities particularly encouraging its participation in the provision of care for lifestyle-related diseases. Health Vision 2050 is the sultanate’s long-term sector strategy and aims to support an “efficient and responsive” health system for a healthy and productive population. The government is also looking to reduce the need for citizens to travel abroad for specialty care, with greater investments taking place in specialty care hospitals, representing a cost-effective and efficient use of public spending. This chapter contains an interview with Dr Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Obaid Al Saidi, Minister of Health.