The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Muscat recently launched an e-service for approval of sick leaves through the health portal at the 33rd edition of the COMEX Global Technology Show 2024. The initiative was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al Ajmi, Executive President of Oman Medical Specialty Board, and Dr. Muhanna Al Maslahi, MOH’s Director General of Private Health Establishments. The Director General explained that the issuance of sick leave must first be done by the healthcare provider at a private health institution, and the sick leave produced by the system is considered valid both locally and internationally. The service is aimed at patients, whether citizens or residents, who have received treatment at private health institutions in Oman, with certain conditions such as valid licenses for the treating physician and health institution, as well as providing a personal ID card. The service is available 24/7, with physicians able to send the sick leave to patients via text message or print it.
Since the launch of the service on November first of the previous year, over 370,000 sick leave certificates have been issued, according to Dr. Al Maslahi. The sick leaves are verified for authenticity by a code and are subject to inspection by healthcare staff or beneficiaries to ensure validity. Dr. Al Maslahi also mentioned that the previously required financial fees for certifying sick leave of more than two days have been abolished. It is important to note that both governmental and private authorities do not accept any paper-based sick leaves from private health institutions across various governorates of Oman.
The Ministry of Health’s booth at the COMEX Oman has attracted a good number of visitors during both morning and evening hours, with positive participation from affiliated entities and institutions. This indicates a strong interest and support for the e-service for approval of sick leaves. The initiative is expected to streamline the process of obtaining sick leave, make it more efficient for patients and healthcare providers, and ensure the validity of the sick leaves issued. By utilizing technology and online platforms, the Ministry of Health is aiming to enhance healthcare services and improve the overall healthcare experience for individuals in Oman.
The introduction of the e-service for approval of sick leaves is a significant step towards digitizing healthcare processes and making them more accessible and convenient for patients in Oman. Through this service, patients can easily obtain and present valid sick leaves issued by private healthcare providers, eliminating the need for paper-based certificates. The service being available 24/7 ensures that patients can access their sick leave whenever needed, without any delays or inconveniences. The high number of sick leave certificates issued since the launch of the service demonstrates its effectiveness and the positive response from both patients and healthcare providers.
By automating the process of approval for sick leaves, the Ministry of Health is also ensuring better compliance with regulations and standards in healthcare practice. The verification of sick leave certificates through a code and inspection by healthcare staff or beneficiaries helps prevent any misuse or fraud. The abolishing of financial fees for certifying sick leave for more than two days makes the service more accessible to patients and reduces the financial burden on individuals seeking medical leave. Overall, the implementation of the e-service for approval of sick leaves is a step towards modernizing healthcare services in Oman and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery in the country.
The positive response and participation at the Ministry of Health’s booth at COMEX Oman indicate a strong support and interest in the e-service for approval of sick leaves. The collaboration with affiliated entities and institutions also demonstrates a unified effort towards enhancing healthcare services in Oman. By leveraging technology and digital platforms, the Ministry of Health is able to provide innovative solutions that benefit both patients and healthcare providers. The continuous development and improvement of such digital services in the healthcare sector contribute to the overall advancement of healthcare services in the country.
