By Dr. Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui
Muscat: The Ministry of Health (MoH) marked impressive graduation and oath taking ceremony of 482 students from Oman College of Health Sciences (OCHS) of Muscat Governorate and Higher Institute of Health Specialties (HIHS) at Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman.
The graduation ceremony was presided over by H. E Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Hosni, MoH Under-Secretary for Health Affairs in the distinguished presence of a number of under-secretaries from MoH, senior officials, faculty, the graduating students and their parents. The Oman College of Health Sciences graduates comprise of various bachelor and diploma degrees in nursing, health sciences, pharmacy and health information management.
The Higher Institute of Health Specialties graduates comprise of post graduate diplomas in adult critical care nursing, health services management, paediatric nursing, nephrology nursing, mental health nursing, emergency, community health, infection prevention and control and midwifery. Both of these premier healthcare entities were formed in 2018 after his Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said issued royal decrees aimed at providing world-class professional healthcare education in Oman.
Prof Mustafa Fahmi Mohammed, Dean of Oman College of Health Sciences expressed his pleasure while addressing the graduating healthcare professionals thus: “We are proud of the Oman College of Health Sciences for the adoption of high-quality curricula and training programmes in line with the world-class standards that achieve the MoH’s ambitious goals and establish an integrated health system in compliance with the Future Health Vision 2050.” He expressed his gratitude to the parents of the neo graduates for supporting their children during their studies.
It is significant to note that the MoH, an equal opportunity employer, appointed Dr Manal bint Abdul Majeed Al Zadjali as the Dean of Higher Institute of Health Specialties (HIHS), incidentally on the International Women’s Day in 2018. One of the youngest Deans in the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) countries, Dr Manal is highly acclaimed in Oman and the AGCC for her voluntary work and community endeavours.
Dr Waleed Al Rajhi, Assistant Dean, HIHS, administered the professional pledge to the graduating healthcare professionals.
(Dr. Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui is a senior journalist and a political analyst.)
