Pathetic Medical Standards and Doctors in Oman.

Im really finding myself difficult to write this post, however I couldn't absorb this within.

I have serious concerns on the selection policy of Oman Health Ministry for recruiting doctors in Oman. Anyone (Yes, Anyone) gives MOH exam and becomes a doctor, hence alot of incompetent and inefficient people are appointed as doctors who don't even know what exactly this profession is. There are even componders / pharmacists who are treating patients as Doctors, just because they had passed the MOH exam and got themselves in.

Last week, a poor little bangla child died because of a wrongly dozed injection. She just had a minor stomachache and her only sin was that she was a child of a poor plumber and went to the "Killer Hospital" B**** S***. I don't know when the government will open the eyes and will BAN this idiotic shitty hospital from Oman.

Talking about another hospital(s), the famous (Muscat Private Hospital), I had a minor headache and went for obtaining a medical leave and in return, the idiot doctor diagnosed blood pressure and sugar in me and was willing to give me a doze of an extremely expensive drip (Which i refused). The doctor, then realized that he has got his hands over a wrong person and then tried to overcome the situation.

I would strongly advise the new comers to please and please avoid going to B*** S*** hospital (even if they have a minor headache). Trust me there is no doctor there but just a bunch of few jerks who are there to play dirty politics within themselves and grab money out of the patients.

P.S, I haven't written this post against any specific nationality or community. Its a general observation and everyone who incompetent is considered.

May God bless all of us.

Hello schaz

Thanks you for this share!

I am sure many new comers will indeed benefit from knowing this  :top:

Can you please tell us where else could they go besides the one you stated?

Regards
kenjee

Dear Kenjee,
That's a million dollar question!

By the way, my post is not about the selection of hospitals, its related to precautionary measures while consulting to a hospital and moreover, selection of a doctor (whether he or she actually is one or not).

Schaz, I totally agree with every word you have said.

Stay far, far away from B***  S***. They know next to nothing about providing decent medical services. They run their ployclinics purely as a momey making business.

i also experience that situation in   B**** S***.

I really don't wanna be specific about a single hospital..............  In overall, the medical facilities in Oman are pathetic.......... the doctors don't know what they're diagnosing...

All they know is just to prescribe maximum number of tests to patient so that the amount of the bill increases. The reason behind is that almost all the expatriates are covered by their respective companies and the hospitals are known to "Loot" them by invoicing to the maximum,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, then there comes out the doctors whose main intention is to grab maximum money by recommending medicines from the companies, who give them more commission (As the main moto of everyone is to have as much money as he or she could)..

So doctors (If u really are one)!!!!!   Please think about the responsibility you have.Think human and please, if you can't diagnose a disease............  then dont prescribe anything false to any patient. The patient may be the center of earning to many others.

Hi Mr Schaz,

I am posting this in reply to your post regarding the poor standard of treatment in oman. As a doctor myself, i dont think the prometric exam and the MOH interview is a farce. I myself appeared and cleared the same, last month. It is as good as any international exam.
Of course, personal experiences are important and shocking, but can occur in present medical scenario...

As far as i remember you had such issue few months ago and shared here as well. Sty safe n thanks for sharing

Hi dr vijayan,

can u pls guide me abt the moh interview n viva exam in oman? i hv recently passed the prometric exam for gp n would be appearing for the interview n viva exam soon..
thanks in advance..

Hi Doctor
I took the inteview about 4 mths back. I think, they consider your percentage of marks in the prometric, as a part of evaluation/viva. Thats for sure...I saw it in the form you need to fill before viva. They had  doctors in the interview board and they managed to touch all the relevant clinical topics in my speciality!(Dermatology)... it lasted about 30 minutes or so.

Questions were mainly clinical...related to patients we see....Diagnosis, management etc...Starting from initial protocol to more complex regimes. It was not that tough...but u should have a general understanding of common conditions. I dont know about how a GP should prepare.
But a birds eye view of the common illnesses should do it.
hope u got some useful information..............bye

Thanks Dr Vijayan, for the valuable information. I highly appreciate it..

hai every one

  my self being a doctor specialist , working here in oman for 8 months , situation is really pathetic, the story what iam going to tell is aslso depressing , iam trained in orthopedic , 5 yrs post ms trained ,  daily i was working as orthopedic surgeon doing daily atleast 2 surgerical cases per month, i had interview india , sep 2012 got appointment came to oman on feb , my plan was make some money and hoping to get some time to read, i was posted in 80 kms away from capital , i was posted in a a primary hospital ,with  operation theater, the system what i found is majority are egytian who dont know abcd about  medicne, among few countable one are good, majority very bad, knowledege of the subject very bad, only what they have in their hand is langauge by which they fool the patient , talking. doctors ministry take most of the egytians because not for their knowlege , because of language, its roumour that in the ministry they people who even will help them into country,now working system -- when patient comes they never examine a patient ----just ask -- what your problem-- headache --parcetamol, no proper examination , people dont want to work -- in 12 months -- working period is only 8 months rest are holidays, any pateint coming to primary center, know one wants to take risk, because of litigations, in oman most of them go to india for treatment because of bad mangment especially  in surgical field. most pateints are reffered to regional centers like , nizwa and khoula where hospital are good but care is bad , main problem with egyptian doctors , they are not trained and they have not seen cases, clinical exposure bad.
                                                           i manged to finish my 8 months , it very diff to survive in oman if your highly skilled and daily if you are not motivated, you will not read and improve your knowledge, more you stay in oman as surgeon and if u get a posting in primary center , your skill as a surgeon will, go and you will become lazy , working culture in oman in ministry is lazy, more you work ,more enemies you will get , because they also have to work, hope i finish my 2 yr contarct return back to india, i never brought a car or furnished my aprtment because i dont when i will go back , more i will be focused on reading  so i qulify for higher exams .

hashir3 wrote:

hai every one

  my self being a doctor specialist , working here in oman for 8 months , situation is really pathetic, the story what iam going to tell is aslso depressing , iam trained in orthopedic , 5 yrs post ms trained ,  daily i was working as orthopedic surgeon doing daily atleast 2 surgerical cases per month, i had interview india , sep 2012 got appointment came to oman on feb , my plan was make some money and hoping to get some time to read, i was posted in 80 kms away from capital , i was posted in a a primary hospital ,with  operation theater, the system what i found is majority are egytian who dont know abcd about  medicne, among few countable one are good, majority very bad, knowledege of the subject very bad, only what they have in their hand is langauge by which they fool the patient , talking. doctors ministry take most of the egytians because not for their knowlege , because of language, its roumour that in the ministry they people who even will help them into country,now working system -- when patient comes they never examine a patient ----just ask -- what your problem-- headache --parcetamol, no proper examination , people dont want to work -- in 12 months -- working period is only 8 months rest are holidays, any pateint coming to primary center, know one wants to take risk, because of litigations, in oman most of them go to india for treatment because of bad mangment especially  in surgical field. most pateints are reffered to regional centers like , nizwa and khoula where hospital are good but care is bad , main problem with egyptian doctors , they are not trained and they have not seen cases, clinical exposure bad.
                                                           i manged to finish my 8 months , it very diff to survive in oman if your highly skilled and daily if you are not motivated, you will not read and improve your knowledge, more you stay in oman as surgeon and if u get a posting in primary center , your skill as a surgeon will, go and you will become lazy , working culture in oman in ministry is lazy, more you work ,more enemies you will get , because they also have to work, hope i finish my 2 yr contarct return back to india, i never brought a car or furnished my aprtment because i dont when i will go back , more i will be focused on reading  so i qulify for higher exams .


Hi hashir3,

The problem which you have cited is not an isolated incident happening only in the medical circles of Oman. It is rampant pretty much across all other sectors as well.

The overall quality and standards of any profession is very low here, compared to the likes of India. There is no professional work culture because of the overall lax attitude. In fact, even the quality of education available in the Sultanate is far lower than it is in India. Here I am not talking about the Omani schools, but the Indian schools. Children who pass out of these Indian schools find it really hard to cope up with the standards of their peers once they go back home for their higher studies.

Perhaps the one and only major attraction for so many expatriates who are living here, compromising their careers, is because of the money, which is good. Very good in fact. The quality of living could be the second main cause. Beyond that there is nothing else.

If one cares for their carer growth and bettering their job prospects, then Oman is certainly not the best place to be.

This is exactly what i have been mentioning since the begining.

I sometimes prefer to get a ticket, go to my country and get a  medication there (Even for a fever), instead of considering any hospital here.
Last week, one of my known friend got a minor headache due to restless day and he just went to get a sick leave, and surprizingly, he was admitted and dripped for 1 hour (no reasons as was prescribed by - so called - doctor) just because to recieve a bill of OMR 80 (to be debitted to his company).

Trust me, people in medical and education sector are doing nothing else than minting out money.



P.S, Dearest Mr. Sumitran,
Its not only the schools. If you look around at a college or even a university level, you'll put ur hands on the head with blank eyes. Nevertheless, we're a part of the same work atmosphere and can't justify alot of things.

main funda ----get a every monthly dose herione in form of salary , more you stay, more u want want stay ,you become lazy and more money u get, more things you want to own , private sector hospital consist doctor who makes money with cuts they have a basic salary plus cuts , so if any pateint comes his mind is how extract money from this guy , so comes the test , ivestigation , admission , so if your real good at heart guy and if your seeing a pateint as your father or mother , its difficult to work  in private sector, private mangment  likes the doctors who makes more of investigation and admission , and private sector is visited by medical rep , they give doctor target to achive , by giving them ipad , visit to foriegn countries , so this medical reps makes the doctor indirectly to write medicine, for eg a back pain , neeeds only 2 days of bedrest and 3 days of paracetamol, so whats happens is you end  up tests - x-ray and mri  which you dont actually need if not indicated and medication for 15 days , which needs only for 5 days , so health sector is so corrupted and its buisness , doctor are afraid of litigation , they never miss any investigation,  i was working in a govt  medical college , but diff earn since your not corrupt , i was not able to provide house for my family , life was diff , no savings , but the satisfaction and respect and love you get form your patience was great in kerala.as sumitran said money , money , money , and easy life this goes for profeesionals, but money is not all , after your achive your target money , buying a flat or paying loan , run back home, this place is not for youngster , who should work hard at their age, its for people who are aged   , as gm in comapany , or a consultant in any field , like doctors as consultants in big hospitals they mind money because they can work in private and ministry , so i will also come back one day consultant, but now is like kiling day sleeping and reading , writing my frustartion in eb, hehheheheeh :(  beacause i when i call my mum, when i say i cant stay , she says try holding on till two years, because back home i cant make them understand what the problem is ,  health sector situation is sort of same in gulf, only thing in oman is you can save money , because you dont  much place to spend as in dubai, compared to other gcc country omanis are more humble , you will know the diff if u have worked in saudhi, but situation is changing young omani are more arrongent and more omanization happening most of the establishment in ministry omanis are been headed  most who dont know the subject , and work , but fundaaa is act dumb , do your work , dont say anything back , be humble achive your target and  go back and enjoy your freedom. but never fall for the honey trap of money , because you will not be promoted you will be stuck in one post doing a job which you dont like.

Hashir!
Every single word,  you said is what i agree with !!!

Sir, am preparing for viva for gp post, can you please guide me how's viva and how shud we answer der and the topics which shud be covered

Hi, am also preparing for viva, have u appeared or yet to appear? Pls share ur experience tia

Vmp wrote:

Sir, am preparing for viva for gp post, can you please guide me how's viva and how shud we answer der and the topics which shud be covered


Hi Vmp,

Kindly post under appropriate headers, please.

If you do not find one already, feel free to start a new thread.

Vmp wrote:

Hi, am also preparing for viva, have u appeared or yet to appear? Pls share ur experience tia


Hi Vmp,

Who are you referring to in your post ?

Please, for the sake of clarity, be specific with your comments and queries.

Sorry sir, I referred this to onevijayan and Dr. Mmu, ll not repeat this in future

I dont understand the names of the hospitals you have mentioned . May i know them please . I am a doctor and i have applied a job there .

Hello folks.

Every point being discussed in this forum is true. Here I would like to mention few things what exactly goes on in a private hospital. (these are my doctors friends from Oman's words)-

1. Its not the doctors who wants to make almost nothing (compared to their salary) incentives. It's the management who have zero damn knowledge about medical forces them too make few unnecessary tests and extra. Otherwise they cut from their salary.
2. Sometimes few other tests are really necessary. For example, if a person has simple right side stomach pain, it could a normal abdomanal pair or could be appendix too. So, if the reports come negative, the patient blames the doctor for extra test. But what patients don't understand is, doctors can't just know by touching what's going on inside.
3. The management of almost all private hospitals have their weekly or monthly meetings about the business they have given to the hospital. And they pressurise doctors like they are salesman not doctors. They make it look like a business. (I understand its not charity, but they pressurise too much). They will have weekly or monthly meeting.

Having said these points, I wanna say I'm not personally supporting doctors here. Just tried to give you guys a insight which my friends (doctors) used to work here in Muscat.

Good time every one
Somebody can suggest a good orthopedic in oman for repair meniscus
I was in 7 hospitals every body just want arthroscopic
May be somebody know a good doctors

Hi sir ,
You have given a very nice picture of the state of indian surgeons in OMAN . As you have already mentioned that this place is not for youngsters who want to operate more and get name and fame etc..
But the reality is youngsters who want a balance in life , like operate as well as spend time with family for vacation etc and buy a nice property back in india and some savings for retirement , current situation in India doesnt guarantee all these with meagre salary sir .
So if i consider living a happy life with my family like providing nice education , family trips like UK,US, japan each yr , providing safe environment , and to get them what they desire all these with regular office hours hosp job , more important than doing endless surgeries , building up name and fame building a huge hospital in my name and then get some money to fulfill my above wishes with BP,DM etc

Is OMAN a good place for indian surgeons ?

Hi CHIKLE,

Most polyclinics who appoint Indian Doctors, pay them a pittance.

The doctor has to refer as many investigations as he possibly can and then earn from his commission only.

This is not a sure way of earning money, nor will it be enough to help you meet all of your desired and stated objectives.

Most doctors who join in Oman are ignorant, inexperienced and at best, semi-literate only.

Unless you join as a Specialist carrying with you two-plus decades of hands-on experience, you will not be able to earn or save much.

Thank you sumitran for the input .
I am thinking to look for specialist position only in hospitals not in polyclinic ,  as i have 4 yrs experience after postgraduation .
Is it safe to join well known private hospital as well in oman or should we stick to MOH only ?

Hi CHIKLE,

Suffice to say, as things stand now, unfortunately, it is not an employees market.

The expatriate employee does not get an option to pick or choose where, or what he / she joins - if at all.