Taafi Centre to offer services for addicts
The Ministry of Health celebrated the inauguration of the Muscat Taafi Centre, the main specialised facility in Oman to provide treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from addiction, in the Wilayat of Al Amerat, under the auspices of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidy, Governor of Muscat, and in the presence of Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, and Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development.
The centre is the first government institution in the Sultanate of Oman dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts. It was established in collaboration with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and Al Jisr Foundation for Charitable Work, as part of a national vision to address the growing addiction issue and to provide comprehensive care in a safe and integrated environment.
Dr Said bin Harib al Lamki, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, explained that the centre includes 170 beds — 40 for recovery and 130 for detoxification and medical and psychological rehabilitation. This reflects the scale of the project and the importance of its services. He pointed out that over 495 addiction cases were recorded in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for specialised centres like this one, which is designed to cover all stages of treatment: from detoxification to psychological rehabilitation, and finally to recovery and community support.
Dr Al Lamki added that what distinguishes the centre is its integrative approach, bringing together the efforts of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Development, and the Royal Oman Police to provide comprehensive treatment under one roof — addressing the previous gap in psychological and rehabilitative services, which were formerly scattered among Al Masarra Hospital and other institutions.
Dr Yousuf bin Mohammed al Farsi, Director-General of Health Services in Muscat Governorate, noted that the centre goes beyond medical treatment. It follows modern methods based on psychological and social rehabilitation in an interactive environment that includes artistic and skill-building activities such as drawing, reading and writing, as well as a private library and creative spaces.
Dr Mahmood bin Zaher al Abri, Secretary of the National Committee for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, stated that Oman records an average of 480 addiction cases annually, with 52 per cent of them concentrated in Muscat Governorate, followed by Al Batinah North and Al Batinah South. He noted a worrying rise in the abuse of "shabu" (methamphetamine) since the Covid-19 pandemic, which causes psychotic symptoms and violent behaviours that may lead to suicide attempts. He also mentioned plans to develop an electronic system to document cases and ensure confidentiality, along with follow-up programmes in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development.
Aseela al Zaabi, Head of Muscat Taafi Centre, emphasised that the opening of the centre marks a qualitative leap in the provision of addiction treatment services in Oman. She pointed out that the services previously offered at Al Masarra Hospital have now been transferred to the new centre in Al Amerat, enhanced with more comprehensive and advanced facilities.
It is worth noting that the total cost of the project amounted to RO 3.4 million — RO 2.5 million from PDO and RO 900,000 from Al Jisr Foundation. According to Dr Al Abri, the second phase of the centre will include an expansion to 300 beds, in addition to other centres under construction in Suhar and Dhofar.
The opening of the centre represents a major step forward in building a comprehensive mental and physical health infrastructure in Oman and embodies an effective partnership between the public and private sectors to tackle one of the most serious health and social challenges of modern times.
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