First ever complex TEVAR surgery in private hospital saves life of road accident victim
Muscat – A seat belt is always a lifesaving mechanism. With the experience of a complex life threating operation, doctors from Muscat Private Hospital (MPH) urged all, even at back seats, to sport seat belts. This ensures the impact due to an accident to be less and thus have less sudden effect on the heart and lungs.
Mumtaz Ahmed (a Pakistani national) critically injured in a severe car crash on April 25 in Kalba, Musandam, was initially treated at a government hospital. Despite stabilising efforts, a serious tear in the aorta near his heart, coupled with rib and spine fractures and liver damage, made his condition life-threatening. Due to overcrowded emergency cases in the government sector, he was shifted to Muscat Private Hospital.
A 12-member team of experts from Muscat Private Hospital performed a highly complex and life-saving vascular procedure for hours called TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair)—on a 38-year-old road accident victim recently. The complex operation involved teamwork involving the Cathlab, ICU, OT nurses and multiple departments including anesthesia, radiology and administration. This marks the first time the procedure has been performed in a private hospital in the country, showcasing advanced medical capabilities and swift emergency response.
Dr Ahmed Salim Mohammed al Aufi, Consultant Vascular and Trauma Surgeon, led the multidisciplinary team in performing the TEVAR procedure on May 3. He said, 'The operation was delicate and critical, but successful. The patient is stable, conscious, and responding well to physiotherapy. This case also highlights the importance of wearing seatbelts in both front and back seats. He had to put stem of 12mm to stop the blood clotting.' He has severe complications including high blood pressure but we had all our resources to help him out of the danger.
Dr Raymond Elias, Medical Director, added, 'This is a significant moment for Oman's private healthcare. The TEVAR case demonstrates not just medical innovation but commitment to saving lives.' He also called for people to wear always seat belts so that the impact gets less.
Dr Zahra Ghanim Ahmed, Dr Amr Hassan, and CEO Hassan al Lawati also played key roles in the operation and coordination. Lawait said, 'This is a perfect example of Public-Private Partnership in healthcare, aligning with Oman Vision 2040. We don't compete—we complete each other in service of the nation. Behind every success are unsung heroes—our nurses, technicians, ambulance and lab teams.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
12 hours ago
- Observer
A nation recalibrated: Why Oman may hit 2040 targets ahead of time
In an age dominated by grand national visions, Oman's latest performance report of its 10th Five Year Plan, spanning the 2021–Q1 2025 timeframe, stands apart—not for its rhetoric, but for its results. While other nations amplify ambitions, Oman quantifies them. And what the numbers now reveal is nothing short of a silent transformation—precise, purposeful, and increasingly irreversible. This transformation—guided by Oman Vision 2040—is not being proclaimed with slogans, but evidenced through percentages. From digital government to clean water access, from economic diversification to governance reform, the performance report issued recently by the Ministry of Finance underscores the progress Oman is making on multiple fronts, consistently and measurably. STRATEGIC PLANNING THAT PRODUCES At the heart of the report lies a compelling headline figure: 44.9% cumulative improvement in national performance indicators over just four years. This is not a marginal shift—it is a recalibration of how governance, services, and citizen engagement function in the Sultanate. The government's success in digital transformation is among the most visible. 85% of services are now accessible online, and 90% of citizens use digital identity systems, enabling faster, more transparent public services. Digital infrastructure readiness stands at 95%, while AI integration in government functions has reached 20%—a significant foundation for the next generation of smart governance. This is not just about technology; it's about access. Digital service satisfaction now stands at 80%, and 81% of public sector services have been automated, cutting red tape and raising accountability. HEALTHCARE THAT DELIVERS Healthcare is one of Oman's standout reform areas. Preventive health service coverage has reached 95%, and public satisfaction with the sector stands at 86%. The digitisation of medical records has ensured 90% of patients can now access their health data with ease. Key outcomes include a 4.6% increase in life expectancy, and an 11.9% decline in infant mortality since 2021—proof that investment in the healthcare system is not only improving systems, but saving lives. The health insurance coverage rate stands at 92%, and health system efficiency has improved by 6.1%—figures that show strategic policies are translating into tangible gains. AN ECONOMY DIVERSIFYING BY DESIGN Despite global economic volatility, Oman's efforts to reduce its dependence on oil are bearing fruit. The report shows an 8.7% increase in non-oil sector contribution to GDP, supported by 7.8% growth in the manufacturing sector and a 4.9% rise in SME contributions. Public–private collaboration has become a pillar of this diversification, with a PPP success rate of 90% and private sector engagement in development at 92%. These numbers reflect not just alignment with Vision 2040, but a structural shift in how Oman's economy is financed, built, and grown. FDI inflows have risen by 2.0% annually, while business environment indicators improved by 2.8%, driven by ongoing regulatory reform and streamlined licensing procedures. Inflation control measures delivered a 2.6% improvement, and economic diversification indexes rose by 3.2%, signaling that Oman's economy is expanding in both depth and scope. EDUCATION IN SERVICE OF EMPLOYMENT The education sector has undergone substantial reform. Tertiary enrolment stands at 60%, and a significant 86% of graduates now meet labour market needs. Vocational training participation sits at 59%, and digital literacy among youth is an impressive 95%—a critical asset for a future economy built on innovation. Still, gaps persist. STEM graduates comprise 45% of total graduates, and only 15% of students specialise in entrepreneurship-related fields. While female labour force participation has improved to 40%, perceptions of gender equity in the workplace remain modest at 57%. These metrics will need sharper focus to meet inclusivity and competitiveness targets. CITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SUSTAINABILITY Urban development efforts have kept pace with citizen expectations. Access to electricity and clean water has reached 95% and 90% respectively, and 81% of the population expresses satisfaction with infrastructure. Housing remains accessible to 83%, while smart city initiatives have achieved 59% implementation. Yet public transport coverage remains at 55%, and green infrastructure integration at 25%—areas where Oman can scale up to ensure sustainable urban living. The environmental domain, however, is a red flag. Carbon emissions dropped only 0.6%, and waste recycling remains at 14%. Environmental awareness is just 28%, while air quality and water efficiency compliance both sit at 72%. Without greater policy innovation and public mobilisation, Oman risks lagging behind on sustainability, even as it leads in infrastructure. Where Oman is leading regionally—and arguably internationally—is in governance reform. Transparency indicators are at 86%, accountability mechanisms score 91%, and anti-corruption efforts are rated at 85%. This new culture of statecraft is supported by 72% e-participation and 50% citizen engagement in policymaking—numbers that are expected to rise as decentralisation efforts and municipal reforms take hold. The report's closing message is clear: Oman is not improvising. It is delivering. Over 70% of Vision 2040 performance indicators have either met or exceeded benchmarks. And yet, rather than declare victory, the government is pressing forward—identifying regional disparities, calling for stronger environmental frameworks, and encouraging private sector competitiveness. If the next five years mirror the momentum of the last, Oman may not just reach its Vision 2040 goals—it may arrive early, and stronger than anticipated. Qasim Al Maashani The writer is the head of business and politics section at Oman Observer
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Tawoos Group acquires NMC Oman
Muscat – Tawoos Group, one of Oman's premier business groups, and NMC Healthcare Group, a leading integrated private healthcare provider headquartered in the UAE, have announced that Tawoos Group has entered into a binding agreement to acquire NMC Healthcare LLC Oman and Elegant Medical Center man (NMC Oman). This agreement marks a significant milestone in Tawoos Group's strategic entry into Oman's private healthcare sector. This complex, multiple asset acquisition from NMC Group comprises two hospitals and six clinics/aesthetics centres. This landmark transaction both secures the future of these healthcare institutions and highlights the effectiveness of public-private collaboration. By consolidating these assets under a trusted Omani brand, Tawoos Group aims to create a resilient and sustainable ecosystem focused on patient care, job creation and operational excellence. In a press release, Samir J Fancy, Chairman of Tawoos Group, said, 'The acquisition is much more than just securing assets; it is about ensuring continuity of care, upskilling and creating a strong local healthcare brand that benefits Oman. This is just the first step of a journey that will become a larger platform for private healthcare that is affordable yet best in class. This has been a classic case of the public sector partnering with private enterprises for the good of the Omani economy.' Sameer Ul Haque, Chief Investment Officer, Tawoos Group, added, 'The acquisition of NMC Oman marks a strategic entry into a sector with strong fundamentals and national importance. With deep local insights, a long-term investment horizon and experience in managing regulated businesses, Tawoos Group is uniquely positioned to create durable value in Oman's healthcare sector.' David Hadley, CEO of NMC Healthcare, said, 'NMC has been proud to serve communities in Oman through our network of hospitals and medical facilities. At a time when we are strategically focusing on our core operations and planned investments in the UAE, we welcome the acquisition of NMC Oman by Tawoos Group, a leading, trusted, and well-established Omani business with a proven track record of fostering innovation and long-term growth – key drivers of high-quality healthcare delivery. We look forward to working closely with Tawoos Group in the coming months to ensure continuity of care for patients and a smooth transition of ownership.' With diversified business interests across various sectors over the past four decades, the Tawoos Group has been recognised for its unwavering commitment to excellence, in-country value creation (ICV) and continuous efforts to support the sultanate's broader economic development in line with Oman Vision 2040. Tawoos Group engaged Addleshaw Goddard as legal counsel and KPMG as financial advisor with respect to the transaction.
Observer
19-05-2025
- Observer
Oman awarded for eliminating trans-fats from food products
GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman has been awarded a validation certificate by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating industrially-produced trans-fats from food products. This milestone reflects the country's strong commitment to improving the quality of life, consolidating preventive healthcare and augmenting public health indicators in line with the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aspires to elevate the nation to the ranks of developed countries, with health as a top priority. The certificate was officially presented on Monday during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), currently being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19 to 27 May. The Sultanate of Oman's delegation was headed by Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health. In a press statement, Dr Al Sabti said, 'The elimination of trans-fats constitutes a milestone in our commitment to promote and protect community health. Oman takes pride in being among the nine leading countries globally and the second country in the Arab world to implement this life-saving policy of eliminating this harmful ingredient.' Oman's official delegation will be engaged in WHA78's key issues that address the proposed programme budget for the 2026–2027, as well as the role of the Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in supporting WHO's efforts to engage multiple stakeholders in combating NCDs. The discussions also cover mental health and social connectivity, along with various global strategies and action plans scheduled to be implemented with effect from next year. These include the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (2021–2025), the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health and the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (2021–2025). The Assembly is further addressing the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance. It also is reviewing progress made by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body responsible for drafting and negotiating a convention, agreement, or other international instrument under the Constitution of the WHO to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The meeting will cover integrated emergency, critical and surgical care to achieve universal health coverage and protection from health emergencies. It will also address substandard and falsified medical products, as well as global strategies and action plans due to expire within one year, in accordance with the Global Strategy for Digital Health 2020-2025. — ONA
