The New University Medical City of Oman

Healthcare & Life Sciences Focus

The New University Medical City of Oman

Ahmed Al Barwani
Partner, Head of Office - Oman,
Corporate Commercial

Michael Vadelka
Associate,
Corporate Commercial

Earlier this year, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued Royal Decree No. 11 of 2024 establishing the University Medical City and issuing the law thereof (“University Medical City Law of Oman”).

The University Medical City Law of Oman establishes a medical city with its own legal personality and endowed with financial and administrative independence (“University Medical City”). The University Medical City is affiliated to the Minister of Health of Oman and is governed by the University Medical City Law of Oman.

An overview of the areas covered by the University Medical City Law of Oman are set out below.

Headquarters and Branches

The headquarters of the University Medical City are in the Muscat governorate and branches can be established in other governorates through a decision of the board of directors of the University Medical City (“Board of Directors”).

Transfer of existing institutionsThe Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, the Omani National Centre for the Treatment of Blood Diseases and Marrow Transplantation, and the Sultan Qaboos Integrated Centre for Cancer Treatment and Research are transferred to the University Medical City along with their, allocations, assets, rights, and obligations. Persons holding medical and assistant medical positions in those institutions are also transferred to the University Medical City with the same job grades, allocations, and job conditions. Those measures will be implemented by the Board of Directors in coordination with the president of Sultan Qaboos University.Additionally, civil governmental health institutions and their supporting governmental entities will be integrated into the University Medical City.Implementation of the University Medical City Law of OmanThe chairman of the board of directors is entitled to issue regulations and decisions required to implement the provisions of the University Medical City Law of Oman. The existing laws and regulations remain in force for matters that are not addressed in the University Medical Law of Oman, for the time being until such regulations and decisions are issued.Objectives of the University Medical CityThe primary objective of the University Medical City is to strengthen government policy relating to the development and advancement of the health sector in Oman through the following means:

implementing government policy in relation to development and advancement of the health sector of Oman;

implementing government policy relating to health sector colleges, education, training and research;

providing health services to citizens and residents of Oman in accordance with national and international standards;

localising and benefitting from modern medical technologies;

contributing to the development of national competency in the medical field;

attracting specialised cadres in the medical field;

encouraging scientific and applied research in the health sector of Oman and contributing to its publication and the publication of peer reviewed medical journals; and

cooperating with government and private health institutions to promote health in society.

Competencies of the University Medical CityThe University Medical City has the following competencies to achieve its objectives along with any other competencies granted through laws and Royal Decrees:

developing a plan for self-operation using available qualified cadres and if required, with the assistance from private sector institutions;

establishing regulations governing its work, controls, requirements and standards for the practice of medical specialities in the University Medical City;

establishing and monitoring technical specifications for materials, equipment, tools and devices used in the University Medical City and monitoring their suitability;

implementing training programmes and improving the efficiency of workers in the University Medical City; and

representing Oman in regional and international conferences and meetings relating to the specialities of the University Medical City.

Management of the University Medical CityThe management of the University Medical City is conducted by the Board of Directors and a chief executive officer (“CEO”). The Board of Directors is formed under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Health of Oman and comprises of the president of the Sultan Qaboos University, the dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, the dean of the College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University and 2 persons holding experience in managing private health facilities chosen by the Minister of Health of Oman with a term of 4 years renewable once. The Board of Directors has the power to issue decisions and take the necessary measures for the University Medical City to exercise its powers and achieve its objectives. The CEO is appointed through a decision of the Board of Directors and the approval of Cabinet. The CEO has the powers assigned to the head of the unit according to the laws and royal decrees applied to the units of the State Administrative Apparatus and to represent the University Medical City in its relations with others and before the Omani Judiciary. The CEO has the power to implement the University Medical City and the decisions of the Board of Directors. Additionally, the CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors for the progress of the work in the University Medical City, the implementation of approved policy and relevant decisions of the Board of Directors.

The University Medical City aims to advance Oman's health sector through education, research, and modern technologies.

Finances of the University Medical CityThe University Medical City has an independent annual budget that is submitted to the Ministry of Finance upon Board of Director Approval. The University Medical City is exempt from all forms of tax and fees without prejudice to the provisions of the Gulf Cooperation Council Unified Customs Law.Concluding remarksThe establishment of the University Medical City is an important development for the health sector of Oman and will greatly benefit the sector in a number of ways, as it will increase the efficiency of the health sector, encourage scientific and medical research and publications in medical journals, attract and develop skilled and specialised health professionals, boost medical tourism and job opportunities in the health sector and most importantly improve the overall health of citizens and residents of Oman.

For further information,
please contact Ahmed Al Barwani and Michael Vadelka.

^{Published in}^{January 2025}