How to practice Homoeopathy Ayurveda and other Complementary Alternative systems in Oman 

How to practice Homoeopathy Ayurveda and other Complementary Alternative systems in Oman
(Last updated Sept 2020)

Dr Mansoor Ali K R
Professor, Govt Homoeopathy Medical College, Calicut, Kerala, India
Independent Licence owner, MOH UAE

The Sultanate of Oman’s achievement in the health sector, in a relatively short span of three decades, has been appreciated by the people of Oman and recognized by the international community. The Ministry of Health, through its five-year health development plans, is further improving its health care infrastructure, creating new institution and new programmes to fulfil the unmet needs and to meet new threats from emerging health problems.

Oman, country occupying the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula at the confluence of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

Blending modern and traditional architecture, the city commands a view of the Gulf of Oman and serves as a port and commercial centre.

Oman is famous for fresh, sea air of breathing. Muscat is famous for dazzling souks and superb seafood do not miss the famous Omani sweets known as Omani Halva. Gum or Omani bread is not easily found outside Oman. Oman is a high-income country that generates 84 per cent of its revenue from dwindling oil resources.

Homeopathy and other alternative medicine gaining momentum in Oman. Both citizens and ex-pats exploring complementary and alternative medicine these days. The signs are evident: an increase in the number of Homoeopathy and Ayurveda clinics across the country.

“Indeed, there has been an increase in the number of clinics offering alternative medicine in the last few years,There weren’t many takers for homoeopathy in the beginning. We launched awareness and social media campaigns. Now we are on the right track,” A famous Homoeopathy practitioner said.

An increase in the number of people travelling out of Oman, growth of media and more people gaining education coupled with health-consciousness have helped homoeopathy and Ayurveda win the confidence of the Omani people.

All alternative medicine preparations dispensed and sold in Oman must now be approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH),

Practitioners of alternative medicine will come under strict scrutiny as the Ministry of Health (MoH) has made it mandatory to register all alternative medicine preparations to be dispensed and sold in the Sultanate. The Directorate-General of Pharmaceutical Affairs and Drug Control has issued a directive detailing the criteria for registering alternative medicine preparations, including herbal preparations, Ayurvedic preparations, Chinese herbal preparations and Homoeopathic preparations.

The herbal drug registration requirements include a scientific report from the manufacturer indicating the origin of every ingredient and its pharmacological effect and therapeutic uses; dose, side effects, adverse reactions, precautions, toxicity and antidote; list of countries where the product is marketed or registered, especially in Europe or the USA; drug interactions; date of cultivation and harvesting of herbs; and alcohol content specified in percentage. A letter from the manufacturer must also indicate that the preparation is free from steroids and sex hormones.

Criteria for registration of Alternative medicine preparations
Due to the increase of demand for Alternative Medicine Preparations (Herbal Preparations, Ayurvedic Preparations, Chinese Herbal Preparations and Homeopathic Medicinal preparations) by Omani residents, the directorate general of pharmaceutical affairs and drug control, Ministry of Health started to give regulations and guidelines to make the availability of these preparations, within a legal framework, in the Sultanate of Oman. These regulations and guidelines are focusing on ensuring consumer protection by guaranteeing that the preparations imported into the Sultanate of Oman, are of highest quality to ensure consumers safety. 

Insurance
Oman Insurance, AXA Insurance, NEXT care  etc. to offer cover for all 12 complementary and alternative medicine treatments

Rules and Regulations
No person is allowed to practice, unless licensed by the ministry of health according the terms and conditions incorporated in a ministerial decision.

A ministerial decision would be issued to determine the professions associated with medicine, that cannot be practiced without licensing. The decision would include licensed terms and conditions, and relevant regulations.

Examination
For practicing in this rich and prosperous country, you have to clear the written and oral examinations conducted by Ministry of Health.

Steps 

1. Find out a sponsor
2. Apply through the sponsor for the examination 
3. Score in theory and viva 

Submit the application form to
Office of Director, Department of Private Health Establishment Affairs

Submit Entry Pass, Academic Certificate at least 7 days before the exam

Needs a sponsor letter who is a Oman Nationality

Number of attempts
Only 2 attempts per candidate
If a candidate clears written test and fails in Oral interview- shall be exempted from the written test
Second attempt must be cleared within three months

Experience
3 years after Internship

Type of Exam
60 MCQs
40 Descriptive question
Total Marks : 100
Pass mark : Minimum 55%
No negative marks
Questions from : Homoeopathy and Clinical Subjects 

Result will be displayed in MOH notice board

Bond
You have to work at least one year with sponsor after getting the license

Visa
Need residence Visa status for practice

Practice
You can practice independently or attached to Poly clinics or Hospital 

Specifications for Private Clinic
Clinic Location : clinic shall be located in the ground or first floor of a building with lift.

Clinic Components:
[A] clinic shall contain rooms according to specialty.
[b] General clinic.

General clinic shall comprise 3 (4×4-meter) rooms.
[1] doctors room
[2] treatment room
[3] observation room with one bed, beds shall not be more than two.

Windows shall be one or two fitted with mosquito mesh.

Two toilets: One for use by clinic staff and the other for patients, it shall contain washbasin and mirror.

The clinic shall have two waiting areas, one for males and the others for females.
Clinics in remote areas where pharmacies are not accessible shall have store for drugs.

Homoeopathy in Lama Polyclinic
Lama Polyclinic has announced the joining of Dr Naeem Karnalkar, a three-decade veteran in the field of homeopathy in Oman 

MOH Oman Website
https://www.moh.gov.om/

Learning Courses for MOH Oman
http://www.interface.edu.pk/medical-exams/MOH-OMAN.php

Criteria for registration of Alternative medicine preparations in Oman

For more details
Office of Director
Department of Private Health Establishment Affairs Al – Khuwair
Next to the Zakher Mall Al – Khuwair
Contact : 24946373

Opening hours : Sunday-Thursday, 07:30 AM – 02:30 PM

Paid MCQs
prometricgulf.com
prometricmcq.com
mohtutor.com