Free Covid treatment for needy expatriates in Oman

Our Correspondent
Dubai

Expatriate residents in the Sultanate of Oman who do not have a sponsor or health insurance will be treated free of cost by the government, said HE Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saidi, Minister for Health, on June 4.
The Minister said, “All expatriates have to get information from official departments and liaise with their respective ambassadors to the Sultanate. So far, not a single expat patient has been asked to pay even one riyal for Covid-19 treatment. The government is bearing the full cost of treatment in cases where the expat does not have a sponsor or health insurance. The Sultanate does not discriminate between citizens and residents in treatment or diagnostic tests.”
The health sector in the Sultanate was strong and coping with the pandemic, thanks to the strong support of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, said Dr. Al Saidi. He said the Sultan’s affirmation came after a meeting of the Supreme Committee the same day, during which he had stressed that the government’s ultimate goal is to protect the health of its citizens and residents, according to Oman News Agency, the official news agency of the Sultanate.
Oman reported 770 new cases on June 5, taking the total number of infected cases to 15,086. Of these 427 cases were of expats. While 72 deaths were registered, 3,451 recoveries were also reported.
The minister announced that there was a plan to re-open airports, and a committee has been tasked with devising measures and procedures. In case travel was allowed, testing will be performed in government and private health centres for before travelers are allowed to embark flights, he pointed out.
Dr. Ahmed said that in the Governorate of Muscat, the proportion of infected expatriates stood at 75% due to circumstances beyond their control. “Companies have a responsibility to protect the health of their respective workers,” the minister said.