The Omani Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched the expanded obstetrics and gynaecology emergency department at Khoula Hospital in Muscat, Oman.

muscatdaily.com reported that the expanded department includes four beds and an examination room, while the labour ward has four beds and an induction room with two beds.

The department features ten rooms for the final postnatal stage, a pregnancy ward with 16 beds, a postnatal ward with 36 beds, an obstetrics and gynaecology ward with 30 beds, three operating rooms and a recovery room with two beds.

The expansion was prompted by a rising demand for Khoula Hospital's services, with more than 22,645 patients served last year and 22,939 this year to date.

The hospital aims to enhance gynaecology and obstetrics services in line with the Oman Vision 2040 initiative, which aims to meet international standards of healthcare competency while introducing rare specialities and advancing training and scientific research in women's health services.

In May this year, Oman's MoH was reported to be building 11 hospitals, including the 307-bed Al Suwaiq Hospital, which is scheduled to be completed next year.

These hospitals also include the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah, which is due for completion in 2025, and the 164-bed Khasab Hospital in Musandam, which will open next year.

Upgrades to Mad’ha and Thamrait Health Centres are ongoing, with completion expected later this year.

Preparatory tasks for Mahout Hospital in Al Wusta Governorate are currently in progress, with the hospital's launch scheduled for 2025.

Other hospitals covered by the project include Samayil Hospital in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, Al Nama Hospital in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate and Al Falah Hospital in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate.

MoH Projects and Engineering Affairs director-general Jamal Salim Al Shanfari said the design and layout work on these three hospitals was in the final stage ahead of floating and bidding.