SOHAR Port and Freezone
entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Health, together with the
support of six SOHAR tenants, for equipping a regional molecular PCR
(Polymerase Chain Reaction) laboratory in the North Al Batinah Governorate. The
laboratory is set to be operational by Q1
2021. The signing ceremony
took place on 12th Jan at SOHAR Port and
Freezone administration building. Signed the agreement Mr. Omar bin Mahmood Al
Mahrizi, CEO SOHAR Freezone- DCEO SOHAR Port and Mr. Sultan Saif Al Sadi, Director
General of Health Services in North Al Batinah Governorate, in the presence of representatives
from the senior management of the parties mentioned above.
The MoU signing is in line
with the framework of improving healthcare services provided to citizens in the
North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Musandam, Al Dhahira and Al Buraimi
Governorates. The new laboratory will act as an alternative to Central Public
Health Laboratories of the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the case of emergencies
and comprises of a highly-qualified technical team of 12 employees, to meet the
expected testing demands.
The PCR laboratory is a joint
CSR project, in coordination with existing tenants at SOHAR Port, who will collectively
support the development of the project. The tenants include OQ, Oiltanking
Terminals, Sohar Power Company, C. Steinweg Oman, Majis Industrial Services and
Sohar International Urea and Chemical Industries.
Commenting on the
collaboration, Mohsin Al Jabri, Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs at SOHAR
said, “The current situation has created the need for entities across all
sectors, to join hands towards enhancing healthcare services, while
simultaneously preventing and controlling sources of the infection as much as
possible. This is possible by reinforcing the health system through the
utilisation of modern and advanced technology, which has led to the development
of this facility. The laboratory will be vital in accelerating diagnostic
processes to allow for timely treatment, with the average time to conduct tests
expected to reduce from 2 weeks to 3 days, once operational. The lab will be
equipped with the latest polymerisation apparatuses, approved by the Ministry
of Health, to conduct the required tests for COVID-19. The devices are also
planned to include analysis capabilities for other ailments, including
influenza, haemorrhagic fevers and others in the future.”
Sultan Saif Al Sadi, Director
General of Health Services in North Al Batinah Governorate said, “Due to the
recent spread of several epidemic
diseases in North Al Batinah recently and the high
demand for testing facilities there has arisen a need for developing a
laboratory for infections and epidemiological diseases, equipped with latest tools
used in the field. The agreement
signed with SOHAR and its existing tenants is testimony to the success of
partnerships between the public and private sectors. This is vital, especially
given the prevalent conditions that the world and Sultanate are facing during
this present time. We expect that this initiative will drive other companies
across various levels, to also act on their social responsibilities. I extend
my gratitude to SOHAR and its partners for being a part of this beneficial step
and look forward to reinforcing our collaboration in the upcoming future.”
For more information on SOHAR Port and
Freezone, visit soharportandfreezone.com
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