OMAN-INDIA TIES, ACROSS SEA AND SPACE

the Sultanate — envisions the procurement of 3,050 megawatts (MW) of renewables-based capacity by 2025, representing 16% of total electricity output by this timeframe. This compares with a minimum 10% share for renewables set by the Omani government by the 2025 milestone. Indeed, by 2030, renewable energy projects may account for roughly 30% of generation capacity in the Sultanate34.

Diam, the state-owned Public Authority for Electricity and Water, takes responsibility to study potential usage of renewable energy in generating electricity so that the government will reduce reliance on oil resources. In coordination with international consultants, the Authority for Electricity Regulation has supervised a comprehensive study to measure the level of renewable energy in Oman. The level of solar energy density in Oman being one of the highest in the world, the government seeks to take advantage of it by utilizing the renewable energy source in collaboration with other organizations, companies and consulting firms. There is significant scope for developing solar energy resources throughout Oman and solar energy has the potential to provide sufficient electricity to meet all of Oman’s domestic electricity requirements and provide some electricity for export. Also, the study has recommended implementing pilot projects in rural areas to ensure efficiency of renewable energy technologies35. d. Health The Sultanate has succeeded in creating a modern healthcare system over the five decades after the Renaissance, represented by the percentage and speedy reduction in mortality, especially infants, and the control of communicable diseases. When the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos rose to power in 1970, there were only two hospitals and an average life expectancy of just over 50 years. According to the ministry’s Annual Health Book, there were 261 health institutions at the end of 2019, including 50 hospitals accounting for 5,049 beds, 22 polyclinics and 189 health centres distributed across the Sultanate’s governorates and wilayats. In addition to this, the ministry has opened many super specialised clinics at referral hospitals in the governorates, providing a significant complement to the advancement of quality health services.

The total number of workers in the health sector stood at 39,413 employees in 2019 compared to 39,506 in 201636. The total number of physicians increased by approximately 4%. The number of dentists increased by about 3% in this 34 Oman Daily Observer. (2020, January 7).

35 https://www.diam.om/Our-role-in-Oman/Renewable-energy 36 Ministry of Health Annual Report 2019. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annualreport-year-ended-30-june-2019 224