Twenty two plus years is not long in the history of an institution. But when one considers that these were the preliminary founding years, they become significant. This is because it is during this initial period that the die is cast in terms of the institutions mission, standards and work-culture. And it is these traditions that determine its image and performance in the decades that follow.
A review of the last two decades will show that the Royal Hospital has done fairly well for itself. From being conceived as a modern district hospital for the capital area, it has evolved into the apex tertiary-care referral center for the country. Blessed with a wonderful shell in terms of architecture, infrastructure and facilities, the Ministry has spared no effort in providing adequate manpower and financial resources. Further, the Ministrys stress on developing the countrys network of primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities, and on an effective patient-referral system, have enabled the Royal Hospital to give importance to and focus on its changed mandate. Given this favorable situation, it has been possible for the Hospital to maintain standards comparable with those of renowned hospitals in the developed world. In keeping with its tertiary-care character, the Hospital has expanded and upgraded its critical-care facilities and high-tech equipment. The various specialties and sub-specialties have also continuously improved their in-house capability, and have made Oman largely self-sufficient in terms of medical care.
The Hospital continues to give priority to improving the quality and standard of service. The initiatives taken in this regard have included: BCLS and ACLS certification of staff, CME activities by all departments, credit-points system for staff who participate in continuing education activities and clinical research, formalizing clinical guidelines and protocols, pain management, monitoring of inoculation injuries, infection control surveillance and control, mortality and morbidity audits, risk management, and patient satisfaction surveys.
While the Hospital gets ready to celebrate its silver jubilee in a couple of years, we hope that, with the dedication of its staff, it will work towards a higher level of excellence, keep abreast with the ever changing medical technology, practice evidence-based medicine, extend the highest quality of care feasible, and provide leadership in medical care for the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr. Ghazi bin Omar Al Zubaidi, MD, DM
Director General, The Royal Hospital
