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Thursday, 10 July 2014
MUSCAT NIGHT CLUBS
Supporting projects supporting people
As seen, CNI (Christian Nightlife Initiatives) Network is supporting, resourcing and celebrating around 130 local projects at work within the night-time economy. Winners of the our vision is to see communities empowered and equipped to see transformation
Our local projects include: Street Angels, Club Angels, NightLight, Festival Angels, Town Pastors, Street Chaplains, safe place drop-in's, mobile support units, lap-dancing bar chaplains and Youth Angels.work and our local projects have; invested millions of volunteer hours into communities; helped hundreds of thousands of people across the UK and Europe; become an award-winning model for community involvement in night-time economy issues; become a voice on alcohol & night-time related issues equipped and resourced local areas.
CNI Network is an international grass-roots movement. Explore our web site and social media, read our for further information. Last night was the launch of the new club, Located on the grounds of the Crowne Plaza, it's just up the road from Rock Bottom and is a breath of fresh-air for the Muscat night club scene. The entrance is in the smaller car park - take a right when you drive into the hotel - there's a sign, you can't mi
Night life
It is generally quieter, there are places to go for drinking and entertainment and they tend to be more upmarket and subdued then in Heavy drinking is generally discouraged in public.
The beaches, cafe's, restaurants are great in the evenings, as is with the Souk which is vibrant and alive on the weekends. You also have the Opera House and some fantastic parks which are wonderful to walk around even late into the evening. would have to disagree with the statement that "heavy drinking is discouraged in public." It should actually read "drinking of any sort is forbidden in public. One thing that I would add is just that more people in Muscat drink than you might expect... but it's a very personal matter. You won't find people willing to tell you they drink if they don't really know and trust you, so be careful discussing it or asking questions pertaining to it. You will also find that people have a very black and white view of it, so don't mention drinking unless you're comfortable potentially being known as a drinker. Reputation in is everything, and some people here just can't run the risk of being associated with drinkers. No pressure or anything, but each and every one of us contributes to the local perception of foreigners as a whole, so that is also something to keep in mind with your behavior in Oman."
Public intoxication is not something that is received well in and it can land you in jail to be honest. Yes, there are bars in Oman... but what happens in the bars stays in the bars.
There are a number of places here, Zouk (Crown Plaza), Safari (Hyatt), Trader Vics (InterCon), Park Inn, Feeney's, etc. In general the hotels are the place to be, though there are a couple of independent drinking establishments.
Other nightlife is very coffee shop (shisha) oriented, men sitting around smoking shisha and watching a football match or a movie.
Muscat Nightlife
Nightlife in Muscat tends to refer more to a picnic under the streetlamps of the coast road or a few kebabs with friends at one of the ubiquitous coffee shops. That said, all the hotels have lively bars (with a licence for alcohol) and a few local dance venues are beginning to gather momentum. All are obliged to double as restaurants.
Most of Muscat's cultural activities are arranged on an ad hoc basis. To find out what's on, buy a copy of Oman Today (Muscat's monthly What's On listing) or check the English daily newspapers, such as the Oman Observer
Bars in Muscat
Much less hip (in fact more T-Bone) is the new kid on the block, Rocklands. Located in the Ramee Guestline Hotel, this live rock venue doubles as a steak bar.For modish maracas-shaking, there's a nightly ensemble of Santana-types at Trader Vics, InterContinental Hotel, Shatti Al-Qurm. The dance floor is limited but it doesn't stop diners and divas jostling for hip space
A guy having his punch here- a bunch bantering there; music playing in the background, but nobody grooving to the funky beats! Out in the corner, the wooden rostrum lies barren- No tapping foot, no beating drums and no bleating guitars. A few-scattered here and there-gentry and it is the waiters who seem to be enjoying a happy hour.
It's the usual business hour albeit with a completely different picture. Its 9 p.m. and the deserted sight is of the 'Club Bar', at a popular hotel at Ruwi, located right in the heart of Muscat. What earlier used to be a place jam-packed with party-buffs swinging to rocking live performances, now has an eerie silence every evening.
Oman's nightlife, say nightbirds, has come to a sudden halt. Speculation about banning dance bars in the Sultanate have been confirmed, as the Ministry of Tourism recently imposed severe restrictions on the live entertainment industry across the country.
The decision was taken recently by a high-level committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Tourism, ROP, Muscat Municipality, and the Supreme Committee for Town Planning. The decision has resulted in the shutting down of many nightclubs across the country. However, observers see the move as a welcome initiative to keep a check on activities at nightclubs.
According to an official from the Ministry of Tourism, the decision followed repeated complaints from citizens and 'Majlis Al Shura' members to ban dancing clubs, many of which were operating in residential areas, and even close to schools, causing frequent law and order problems.
Out of business
The ruling seems to have lost a bit in translation though. Initially meant to stamp out the many "Beadi" (Illegal) bars around town, the ban has resulted in end of the show for many 'below 4 star' hotels which had a thriving live entertainment business. The O Malleys at Radisson Blu hotel, for instance, has been badly hit by the ban. "We have suddenly run out of business. We tried to make it up by playing recorded music; even tried to bring in a DJ, but that's not what our customers expect from us, and we are fast losing them. But what else can we do except losing business with all those restrictions imposed", pointed Ruwan Fernando, Assistant Bar Manager at the hotel.
Mumtaz Mahal, the famous Indian themed restaurant which had been immensely popular for its Ghazal evenings, is also going through a rough patch. According to Henry David, the restaurant manager, they often brought professional artistes only, but the complete below 4-star ban closed the doors for them, too, hurting their business to a great extent, as the live performances attracted many patrons.
"Ghazal is a genre that can be picked up only by the artistes qualified professionally. Our shows were immensely popular owing to the huge Indian expatriate population in Oman. Everybody comes asking for the show, and is disappointed to know that we are not having it anymore. Slowly we are loosing our customers", added Henry.
It appears the ban has inadvertently stopped business for the big names as well. Club Safari at Grand Hyatt, Al Ghazal Pub at Inter continental Muscat, Rock Bottom Café at Ramee Guestline Hotel and many others are reeling under the 'No bands with more than 3 artistes' and 'strictly no dancing' strictures.
A live performing troupe usually comprises five to seven members, depending on the number of instruments being played. Restricting it to three members has disturbed the balance of the shows, and has hampered the quality of the performances to a great extent.
"How can three guys put up a performance? Also the bands that we invite shall not break themselves up just to perform at our place. And, to top it all, we have to wind up at mid-night! The show business only starts picking after 9 p.m. How and what is anybody going to make out of the shows then?" said a rhetoric Thuwainy Harthy of the Oman Salsa and Zouk Group, organiser of live entertainment in hotels across Muscat.
Also given the ministry's fresh, more taxing parameters for achieving the star ratings, a number of 4-star hotels in town may struggle to retain their current star status and the right to have live bands performing at their premises.
Right decision, wrong timing
At a time when Oman seeks to put itself at the centre of the world tourism map, many wonder how the new ruling would affect the country's prospects. Says Sharif Al Bakry, Hotel Manager, Grand Hyatt Muscat, "The new entertainment laws might severely hamper the country's efforts towards boosting its tourism sector. Night-life is a key component of the tourism industry, majorly dominated by the Europeans and other western countries."
Disgruntled over the new ruling, the director said the restrictions have led to a decline in the quality of the live shows and warned it could ultimately lead to complete shutdown of bars and clubs in the near future.
However the authorities have a different opinion on the matter, maintaining that Oman's tourism industry did not thrive on just dancing and musical shows.
"Oman has a legacy deeply imbibed in its rich culture and traditions. Its vast history evident in its grand monuments and picturesque landscapes is what makes Oman a place truly worth experiencing", said an MoT personnel, adding the country has sound plans to boost its tourism like expansion of corporate infrastructure, and promoting leisure sports like golf, and polo in the country.
Opportunity lost
Coco Latte, the London based events and hospitality consultancy is facing huge losses on account of visa cancellations and artiste contract terminations, owing to the ban. "All our future commitments in Muscat stand cancelled as of now. Many of the bands which were to perform in the near future and had been paid in advance, are not going to come now. Some had even arrived and are returning without any show", said Nicholas Chrisostomou, owner of the firm.
Having his fingers crossed over the prospects of operating again in Oman, the event manager hopes that the ban gets repealed or is toned down a bit. Many local bands are also out of business, like the T-Band, a quite in demand troupe of four, popular for their rock, blues, and R&B, and which also had Omani members. Under the new rule, they cannot play.
"The new definition of artists has cut us off entirely. We are not qualified professionals and cannot play in public anymore. Music is our hobby, which we pursued with great passion. Not anymore", lamented Tarek Khourshid, the band's lead vocalist from Lebanon.
Plan B
While some are finding it hard to survive within the new regulations, others have improvised to adapt to the situation. Grand Hyatt Muscat, which had staged three mega events earlier this year, including the Crystal White Party Wig Party 2013 and 'Live in concert of Jazz sensation Matthew Vankan has shelved all the live events for now.
The hugely popular Oktoberfest event has also been cancelled this year at the hotel. But it is business as usual at Crown Plaza Sohar, albeit with a few changes. Having recently organized Oktoberfest-2013 the hotel had the popular Columbian band 'Latina Soul performing live at the event, only with the troupe members reduced to three. We have to respect the laws, and we have to keep afloat. We have to be satisfied with whatever we have and get the maximum out of it", said Rose Senosin, Food and Beverage Coordinator, Crowne Plaza Sohar.
Also, the recently held 'Act of Congress' visiting rock band from the USperformance at Trader Vics' Intercontinental Muscat, was a huge success. But, others like the O Malleys, Mumtaz Mahal, Club Bar, Nuts and Bolts, etc. say they have been constantly communicating with the Ministry of Tourism in this regard with hopes that the restrictions get lifted. They are meanwhile finding other ways to attract customers, like offering discounts, while playing recorded music.
An official at the Ministry of Tourism asserted, we had been analyzing the whole situation for long, and after much discussions and considerations, decided to implement the new ruling. We won't stand for anything that hurts the sensibilities of people or is against the culture and traditions of our beloved country. Oman is a country which believes in giving freedom to the people, but not at the cost of causing discomfort to others."
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Muscat fashion and designing colleges
STUDY IN INDIA’S NO.1 DESIGN & MEDIA COLLEGE
Bid a job adieu and open the gateway to a stylish career, in fashion designing with Hamstech, where you can dream, explore and eventually realize possibilities.
• 100% Placement of students and compulsory practical internships with various leading design houses
• Eminent personalities from the fashion & interior design industry on the Advisory Board
• Regular seminars and workshops conducted by top professionals from the industry like Neeta Lulla, Wendell Rodricks, , Gauri and Nainika Karan, Yeshwanth Rao Murthy, Kavita Daryani and Anand Kabra amongst many others.
• Calantha Annual Fashion Show showcasing the designs of the graduating batch of Fashion Designers. Calantha is mentored by Ms. Neeta Lulla and the chief guests include Lara Dutta, Sohail and Arbaaz Khan, Malaika Arora Khan, Venkatesh, Wendell Rodricks, Rocky S, Masaba Gupta, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Nishka Lulla & many more.
• The Scientific College of Design is a private art and design institution of higher learning located in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Established by a Ministerial Decree and regulated by the Ministry of Higher Education, the college officially instigated its academic programs and services in October 2004. The college is governed by a board of trustees, guided by the Directorate General of Private Universities and Colleges.
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• The Scientific College of Design is established upon the firm belief in and strong advocacy of the role of the arts as an integral part of our social consciousness, as an agent of progressive change, and as a powerful catalyst in molding the thoughts and actions of our national and global communities.
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• The college founders uphold the philosophy that design is both an art and a science whereby to create art is to engage in design and that meaningful design is based upon a scientific foundation. As such, the college is rooted in the enduring value of a holistic education that endorses a liberal arts and sciences model of higher education and balances formal design study with a broad exposure to humanities, literature, and the social sciences.
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• The Scientific College of Design is founded upon the principle of academic excellence and cutting edge creativity in art and design benchmarked against the dual criteria of international currency and local relevance.
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• As the college embarks on a new year of operation, it continues to endeavor to assemble a diverse and rich body of creative students and distinguished faculty, to foster an atmosphere of open and free exchange of ideas, and to encourage innovative and interdisciplinary teaching approaches. Seminal to this learning experience, is a collegial environment that cultivates creativity and facilitates the acquisition of knowledge.
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• Indeed, The Scientific College of Design has already finished the construction of its new campus in the Airport Heights, and dormitory which is located in the same campus, and this is a further affirmation of its commitment to create an inspiring design environment.
• NIFT to open a branch in Muscat
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• Premier Indian fashion design institute, National Institute of Fashion Technology will soon open its branch in Muscat.
• "There is demand and we are open to proposals from Muscat," Shankarsinh Vaghela, Minister of Textiles, told Gulf News during his visit to the city recently.
• "It is possible and we will study any proposals from private sector to set up NIFT in Muscat," said Vaghela, who had a meeting with Dr Omar Bin Abdul Munim Al Zawawi, external liaison adviser to the sultan of Oman.
• The minister also urged Muscat residents to buy Indian handicrafts as it is a source of employment to 6.5 million artisans in India, of which 50 per cent are women.
• "Countries in the Middle East are a potential market for Indian handicraft and there is substantial demand for hand-crafted Indian products," he was quoted as saying. India produces handicraft worth an estimated USD 8.78 billion and almost half of it is exported.
• Scientific College of Design is an institution of higher learning that is devoted to the education and training of the visual artist and designer in the Sultanate of Oman and the Gulf Region. Scientific College of Design envisions itself as a laboratory for experimentation and development which facilitates the discovery and creation of ideas and designs. SCD builds a culture of lifelong learning and continuing education among its graduates. The college is committed to academic excellence, student centeredness, offers exceptional liberal arts and interdisciplinary education in a cross cultural environment.
• Vision
Scientific College of design aspires to occupy a preeminent position among leading art and design colleges in the region through an intellectual and creative environment that embraces authentic and contemporary artistic experience while valuing traditional design paradigm and indigenous design languages. The college's vision is to be recognized for its leadership and excellence in teaching and services, attracting and retaining highly qualified faculty, and liberal arts curricula. Furthermore, the college seeks to cultivate tolerance and respect for cultural pluralism and aspires to shape a generation of leading artists and designers who value personal integrity, moral responsibility, and civic pride. ICAT is India’s No:1 Design & Media College rated by the Internationally reputed AC Nielsen. The College offers validated Programs in association with Birmingham City University – One of the leading Universities in the world offering Art & Design Education since 1842. ICAT is the first Design & Media College in India to obtain ISO 9001:2000 Certification for quality assurance.
Why should you study at ICAT?
Degree awarded by the Birmingham City University, UK which is one of the leading Universities in the world imparting Fashion and Interior Design education for over several decades.
Affordable fee structure providing great value for money
Curriculum developed in accordance with the QAA benchmark (International Standard) definitions for Art & Design
Faculty and Guest Lecturers are practicing professionals in the Fashion and Interior Design industries
Learning resources and infrastructure developed as per the standards defined by the Birmingham City University, UK
Opportunities for Internship in reputed Design houses during the Final year (L6) of the program
SECOND AMONGST INDIA’S BEST FASHION COLLEGE 2013
ashion Styling and Image Design programme integrates fashion knowledge, skills and individualistic self-expression of ideas and visions to achieve a sense of style through an image.
The students will be encouraged to learn and develop sensitivity to take up the challenges to demonstrate their personal design philosophy.
The course is designed to provide a balanced mix of theory and practical knowledge tied up with several situations in the styling industry.
The aimed at developing basic design skills by introducing the students to the elements and principles of design and further enhancing these skills through various application based exercises. This programme integrates fashion knowledge, skills and individualistic self-expression of ideas and visions to achieve a sense of style through an image. It prepares students for rewarding careers in commercial styling, Fashion Design courses in Hyderabad are choosen by students. Ther are many best Fashion Design schools in Hyderabad. Students are interested to take admissions in top Fashion Design colleges in Hyderabad. List of Fashion Design colleges in Hyderabad are placed here. Please go through the list of colleges offering Fashion Design Colleges in Hyderabad
The Raja Bahadhur Venkata Rama Reddy Women's College
Institute is located in Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh. It is a Private aided institute. This college has courses for Bachelors. This is a Boys institute.Ask questions here about The Raja Bahadhur Venkata Rama Reddy Women's College admission 2014, Placement 2011, ranking, cut off and eligibility criteria. By using Portea's Home Physiotherapy service in Hyderabad, you can ensure that you receives the best quality in-home Physiotherapy services for Medical Physiotherapy. Founded in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. As reflected by its motto ‘Praesidium Libertatis’ (Bastion of Liberty), the University have always been strongly committed to freedom of spirit, thought and expression. Over the years, this atmosphere of freedom of speech has proved an ideal environment for famous and outstanding scholars such as Descartes, Boerhaave, Einstein and several Nobel Laureates, to develop their theories. The Dutch Royal Family and LeideKarolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its mission is to contribute to the improvement of human health through research and education. Karolinska Institutet accounts for over 40 per cent of the medical academic research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. Since 1901 the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has selected the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.Karolinska Institutet (often translated from Swedish into English as the Karolinska Institute and in older texts often as.
Fashion Design Colleges Bangalore Best Fashion Design Colleges Bangalore Institutes
Fashion Design courses in Bangalore are choosen by students. Ther are many best Fashion Design schools in Bangalore. Students are interested to take admissions in top Fashion Design colleges in Bangalore. List of Fashion Design colleges in Bangalore are placed here. Please go through the list of colleges offering Fashion Design Colleges in BangaloreWhat’s the best way to relieve stress?According to youngsters at the Derbyshire Children’s Hospital, it’s penguins! The soft toy variety, that is.Not only do they look cute, their ‘squishy’ properties mean children can squeeze them like a tension ball – and they have been a big hit since the University of Derby answered a call from the hospital to offer stress toys.The institution donated a raft of ‘stress penguins’ which had.
Monday, 7 July 2014
MUSCAT Children hospitals
Giving to Boston Children's Hospital
Boston Children's specialists keep Tate happy, healthy and on the go, chasing after his big brother. Your support helps us advance care through researchimproving the lives of children around the globSince its inception, Nova Medical Centers has successfully combined the four critical elements of patient care - expert doctors, cutting edge technology, ethical practices and a caring environment. Nova endeavours to provide its patients with the best healthcare services available. Our focus is medical expertise, excellent nursing care and quality diagnostics.Nova begins its Middle East operations with the launch of a polyclinic at Al Khuwair, Muscat, bringing the same Nova values that have enhanced the lives of thousands of patients in other cities. In 2013, Nova will commence short-stay surgeries at its standalone center in Al Ghubra, Muscat, that will significantly augment its services in the region.
Nova Medical Centers Middle East LLC is a joint venture between Nova Medical Centers, India, and the, a premier, diversified group of over 75 companies in the Sultanate of Oman.
Nova Medical Centers, India, operates two medical divisions: India's leading chain of short-stay surgical institutions, and Nova-IVI Fertility – a joint venture between Nova Medical Centers and the world's foremost institute for assisted infertility treatment, headquartered in Spain
Private Hospitals & Clinics
Apollo Medical Centre
Apollo Medical Centre (AMC) is associated to the Apollo Hospitals Group – India, Asia’s largest and most trusted healthcare group. Apollo Medical Centre is a well known healthcare provider in the Sultanate of Oman which provides the most modern state-of-the-art healthcare services under one roof with highly motivated and dedicated professionals.
Shell employees are covered by BUPA International health insurance. Some hospitals will charge BUPA directly the insurance but for some you will need to pay the bills directly at the hospitals and use the BUPA claim forms to apply for reimbursement. Refer to the Shell International Mobility website for full details of your cover: You can usually attend any recognised medical establishment and organise and pay for your treatment and apply for reimbursement from BUPA against receipts and using the Shell BUPA form. However, in all cases it is best to check with BUPA that your treatment will be covered prior to any treatment. Please refer to the BUPA website) further details. Please refer to your membership card for telephone numbers. Some clinics and hospitals in Oman are able to directly invoice BUPA for your treatment so you will not have to pay first and claim back.
For Shell employees using the PDO clinic, you will need to pay for your treatment at the clinic by salary deduction and then complete a BUPA claim form to reclaim your expenses in the normal way. lease see section 3.1.3 for recommended vaccinations prior to travel.
The Omani government has carried out intensive public-health initiatives in conjunction with the WHO and UNICEF that have virtually eliminated most tropical diseases including malaria.
Overall, it is wise to take precautions and avoid mosquito bites by wearing trousers, long sleeves and socks when outside after sunset and use insect repellent.Rabies is present. If you are bitten, seek medical advice immediately.A special warning for heat strokes and heat exhaustion is in place during the summer months. At any time of the year, new arrivals should try to become acclimatised (10 to 14 days of limited heat exposure). It is recommended to drink a lot of water and isotonic drinks (brands available in Oman are Gatorade, Isostar and Pocari Sweat), and to protect the skin and the head from the sun.As you will find that so much of your time will be spent in cold, air-conditioned rooms, you may also find that you pick up colds more often than usual.
Medical Facilities
Oman has an extensive public health service (free to Omani nationals), with approximately 49 Ministry of Health hospitals and many health centres and preventative health centres. See the Ministry of Health website for full statistics:. However, costs are high for foreigners and health insurance is essential.In addition, some employees like to extend their BUPA medical insurance to include Travel Cover with the additional payments for their own account. Please contact BUPA directly for further information.
Public Hospitals
Al Nahda Hospital specialises in ENT surgery, eye surgery and treatment, as well as dental surgery, dermatology and diseases of the nervous system. It is Oman’s main referral hospital for thyroid gland operations. Khoula Hospital is an integral part of Oman’s Ministry of Health, and takes the roles assigned to it by the Ministry. Khoula is a Tertiary Care National referral hospital which provides specialized services. Khoula’s unique role is by serving as Oman’s National Trauma Center. It is the centre for Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and is the Nation’s providers of Orthotic and Prosthetic services. SQUH currently provides several unique services and certain specialized medical facilities that are unique in Oman. The Renal Transplant Unit provides the surgical expertise and laboratory services for kidney transplants as part of a national program in Oman. The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and the Cord Blood Bank are the only ones serving the entire country. The unit of Family and Community Medicine is regarded as an exemplary one by the World Health Organization (WHO), in addition the specialized investigation of various kinds i.e. Clinical Physiology, the one of its kind in the Gulf area.
The founders of St. Jude India ChildCare Centres uncovered a huge unmet social need to provide a safe and clean environment for children to recuperate during their Cancer treatment. These children, along with their families, travel to Mumbai from distant towns and villages, in the hope of being cured at the Tata Memorial Hospital, where they receive free of charge treatment. Unfortunately, while the hospital is able to provide medical treatment to these children, they
Raffah Hospital Muscat,
A genuine willingness to care with absolute readiness to extend the best healthcare facilities ever – this is the dream that has been realized at the Al Raffah Hospital. We have the best available remedial facilities which enable first-class assistance in helping the simplest to the most complex cases tread on the path of recovery. Supported by a qualified group of specially handpicked physicians, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare professionals, from diverse multicultural backgrounds, we are focused on providing outstanding comprehensive care to ensure greatest patient comfort.
often have no place to live and end up sleeping on the footpaths outside the hospital, in terribly unhygienic conditions. As we know from our own experiences with people suffering from chronic diseases like Cancer, the environment in which we convalesce is important to ensure that treatment is effective. However, these children, who already have severely weakened immunity systems due to their ongoing chemotherapy, become susceptible to various infections and other diseases which make the treatment they receive at Tata Memorial Hospital ineffective. OUR ROLE St. Jude with its centres in different cities provides free of cost housing for these children and their parents, along with free nutritional support, transportation services to take these children to the hospital, counseling services as well as activities such as 'art-based therapy' to keep them engaged and motivated during their time away from the hospital. Our goal is to create a "home away from home" for these children, by providing them with the physical and emotional necessities that will give them a better chance of beating Cancer. In March 2012 we have extended to Kolkata and opened our first Centre there. We have plans to open Centres in other cities alongside hospitals which provide quality treatment.
WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT? At St. Jude, we don’t just seek to provide shelter to these child patients. Our mission and work rests firmly on our core value, that high quality and holistic healthcare facilities should be available to all regardless of their economic status. We have therefore incorporated the highest quality standards in all aspects of the care we provide – including the hygiene and cleanliness of our centres, the food grains we provide to our families and the quality of educational and recreational support we offer. In a country where care for the needy, has long been accepted as dismal, at best, St. Jude is working to not only fill in a large unmet need, but also to
fundamentally change this mindset
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ast year. After doing some research we opted to head to Starcare because Mrs Sythe was expecting. We chose Starcare purely because of the good things we had heard about one of their Dr’s, Dr Anita Zutshi. This is a bit of a long post, so I'm warning you now!
We booked an appointment to see a Gynecologist and were unable to see Dr Anita and were referred to the other Dr at Starcare who handles pregnancies, Dr Bindu. After our first appointment, we decided we no longer wanted to see Dr Bindu as we just did not like her attitude, and purchased a package and insisted on Dr Anita from then onwards. The package cost us RO 450 and included all of the appointments, a number of scans and tests and the post-birth follow up appointment.
Dr Anita was very, very good, and we were very happy with her as our Dr, she was very clear and explained everything to us with great patience. The technology available was better than experienced at a local hospital in Canada. You have access to 4D ultrasound scanning, and when you go for your scan, the woman lays on a bed and has a 32” flat screen mounted on the wall in front which shows everything that’s on the monitor that the doctor uses – a nice touch.
However, the administration staff at Starcare are beyond bad. They are in another world of bad, and the number of problems caused by the administration staff eventually led to us switching to Muscat Private Hospital.
Let me explain, in the course of the pregnancy, we spent over 12 hours waiting to see the Doctor after our scheduled appointment. It was quite common to have to wait up to 2 hours after our scheduled time to see the Doctor. We started calling the administration staff the day of our appointment to ask when we should come in, only to be told to come at our allotted time because “everything is on time today”. It never was.
Perhaps the most memorable occasion was, after waiting for 2 and a half hours and seeing people go ahead of us time and time again, we discovered that the administration staff thought we had not turned up for our appointment –and that our registration card that was sitting on their desk was just there for fun. Or perhaps the best moment was being repeatedly charged for services we had already paid for in our package. Nevertheless we persevered with Starcare because we really did like and appreciate Dr Anita.
The day of the birth was also fairly stressful, as you might imagine. We have spent a great deal of time making our minds up to tell our birth story but we figured that knowledge is power, especially for people expecting a baby, or even their first like it was for us, and that we should share our experience for the benefit of others.
Mrs Sythe’s waters broke early in the morning but she never went into labour – we finally went to the hospital (even though labour had not started) in the late afternoon to get checked up – when your water breaks you are on the clock for risk of infection, you can’t just leave it forever.
We were admitted to a standard birthing suite, which has ensuite shower and toilet, a bed with a fold out grey torture device that’s apparently a bed, and there is a TV showing illegal Dish TV Indian satellite tv channels on it. As far as rooms go at a hospital it’s actually quite nice – A word to the men though – bring a pillow or two for that horrible grey bed thing.
After some time the duty midwife, a South African lady called Denise, came in to see us. She had just come right from the delivery room and had blood all over her which was a bit grizzly, but she knew we’d been waiting for quite a while and wanted to check on us before fully cleaning herself up. She was very knowledgeable and helped put us at ease and said she would call the doctor to come and check Mrs Sythe to see whats up (we still didn’t know if Mrs Sythe’s water had actually broken or not at this point).
And then it happened. Dr Bindu walked in – our Dr was away on vacation – she had told us about her vacation weeks before! Dr Bindu conducted a simple test and confirmed that the waters had indeed broken and then said she needed to carry out another test. Now, I am not a healthcare professional, and perhaps I am wrong in my thoughts here, but I think my wife was assaulted by the Dr. We never made a formal complaint because, well, we had our hands full the next day with a brand new baby and simply didn’t have the time. I’m not saying that this was an actual assault, but that’s what it felt like to Mrs Sythe.
Here’s what happened: The Dr needed to check Mrs Sythe’s cervix, and without dressing it up too much, basically fisted her. Her nails cut her down there, and when she started crying, incredulously, Dr Bindu laughed and said to her, “well how do you expect to have a baby”? And then said to the midwife that the cervix was unfavorable (I later found out that meant unfavorable for inducing).
That’s right. A Dr did that to my wife, and then laughed at her. We’re not really sure what to think because we’ve asked other medical professionals and some people say that this test the Dr did should have been done using a tool (speculum), and others say that it’s normal just to put their hand in. The real insult for us is the fact that this Dr laughed at us, at one of the most terrifying times of our lives together – we were not expecting to give birth for another 3 weeks and things were not exactly going normally.
And so we had an emergency C-Section (which cost RO 1350) which was scheduled a few hours later. We met with the anesthesiologist, who explained that he was going to administer an epidural in the procedure. Other than that we just waited in our suite until it was time.
Soon it was time for the main event, I was shown some scrubs and some sterilized shoes to wear and was led to a waiting room while Mrs Sythe was wheeled into the operating theatre. I was told someone would be out to get me in 5 minutes so I could join them all in the operating theatre.
5 minutes passed, and then 10 minutes. Finally after about 15 minutes I went investigating and found someone who I got to tell me what was going on. The anaesthesiologist had tried – and failed – 4 times (!) to successfully give the epidural and so they were going to use a general anesthetic and put Mrs Sythe out completely. I was allowed in to reassure her, and then had to go back to the waiting room.
A short while later, the new duty midwife, Binta, appeared holding the worlds cutest baby (I’m biased) and allowed me a few minutes of skin to skin contact with mini Sythe (Mrs Sythe was unconscious still) before taking her for measurements and checks. It has to be said that Binta and Denise were, and are, amazing people and were very helpful both during and after the birth, as were all the nurses on the maternity ward.
We stayed at the hospital for 3 days, and went home with our brand new baby. Only to have to come back later that night because the baby was distressed and had been crying non-stop. When you leave the hospital they give you some information, along with 2 phone numbers to call in the event of something happening. On a Sunday at 6pm, we rang both numbers and both rang and rang until they cut off. That’s right, the emergency numbers we were given were not even answered.
Not knowing what to do, we rang the duty midwife, who suggested we went to emergency with the baby, which we did. We turned up in emergency and the nurse asks: How old is the baby? We said… 3 days… and amazingly the nurse then said: so how many months is that? Uh…. 3 DAYS? So 3 months then? No, 3 DAYS.
We got in to see the duty Dr, who was clearly out of his depth. He asked what the problem was, we said… the baby won’t eat. He didn’t understand. Eventually I just grabbed mini Sythe and went upstairs to the maternity ward and found a nurse and got some help. The reason for sharing this particular part is to warn you, as can probably be expected: emergency room staff are clueless (and fair enough too) when it comes to newborn babies.
The tale continues; over the next week or so, we had to return to the hospital a further 2 times because we noticed mini Sythe was getting jaundiced, only to be told “shes quite yellow, see you later” each time. At our 2 week follow up appointment with the Paediatrician, Dr Askar, he ordered a blood test to check the level of jaundice, which was very high and subsequently we had to spend 24 hours under UV lamps back at the hospital - which did the trick and cleared up the jaundice.
And here’s the final straw: when leaving the hospital the next day, after the UV treatment had been completed, the Dr told us he wanted to have a follow up with us a few days later, and was sitting at the nurse station with me when I was making the appointment with a duty nurse, it was at 8pm on a work night a few days later. A few days later, we drove to the hospital for our follow up appointment and went to the main registration desk to report in. This is where we swore never to use Starcare ever again.
It transpired that Dr Askar was “not coming to the hospital for 2 weeks”. No one had called us, no one had informed us, and thus we had a sick baby and had arrived for our follow up appointment and no one at the hospital could help. That was it. The hours and hours and hours of waiting for Dr appointments, the Dr laughing at us, the 4 failed attempts to give an epidural and now this total failure to inform us that our Dr was “not coming” for 2 weeks. That was it, I got a full medical note history for mini Sythe printed up and left Starcare, hopefully never to return.
All I can do is share our experience here so that anyone who reads this who is expecting a baby can know. Forewarned is forearmed after all. Many people have had great experiences at Starcare – and yes their regular Dr’s and emergency treatment is actually pretty good, but for us, we wish we had never bothered and had just gone to Muscat Private Hospital to have our baby here. One final note on Starcare is this: Mothers who have their babies via C-Section there - be careful when you leave, because the parking lot is uneven and it's a pretty painful ordeal just to drive out of the parking lot and onto a level road!
Hopefully this information is of use to someone, and if you've had a good or bad experience with Starcare then please share it here too so others can benefit from it.
Oman city culture
Prehistory
At Aybut Al Auwal in the Dhofar region of Oman a site was discovered in 2011 containing more than 100 surface scatters of stone tools belonging to a regionally specific African lithic industry – the late Nubian Complex – known previously only from the northeast and Horn of Africa. Two optically stimulated luminescence age estimates place the Arabian Nubian Complex at 106,000 years old. This supports the proposition that early human populations moved from Africa into Arabia during the
Dereaze, located in, is the oldest known human settlement in the area, dating back as many as 8,000 years to the late Archaeological remains have been discovered here from the Stone Age and the; findings have included stone implements, animal bones, shells and fire hearths, with the later dating back to 7615 BC as the oldest signs of human settlement in the area. Other discoveries include hand-molded pottery bearing distinguishing pre-Bronze Age marks, heavy flint implements, pointed tools and scrapers.
On a mountain rock-face in the same district, ave been discovered. Similar drawings have also been found in the Wadi Sahtan and Wadi Bani Kharus areas of They consist of human figures carrying weapons and being confronted by wild animals. Siwan in Haima is another local Stone Age site where archaeologists have found arrowheads, knives, chisels and circular stones, which may have been used to hunt wild game.
A grave at Al Ayn Oman a World Heritage site.
tablets refer to a country called Magan or Makan, a name believed to refer to Oman's ancient copper mines. Mazoon, another name used for the region, is derived from the word muzn, which means heavy clouds which carry abundant water. The present-day name of the country, Oman, is believed to originate from the Arab tribes who migrated to its territory from the Uman region of many such tribes settled in Oman, making a living by fishing, herding or stock breeding, and many present day Omani families are able to trace their ancestral roots to other parts of Arabia.
From the 6th century BC to the arrival of I in the 7th century AD, Oman was controlled and/or influenced by three, the and A few scholars believe that in the 6th century BC, the Achaemenids exerted a strong degree of control over the Omani peninsula, most likely ruling from a coastal center such as. Central Oman has its own indigenous so-called Late Iron Age cultural ssemblage, the. By about 250 BC, dynasty had brought the nder their control. They extended their influence as far as Oman, establishing garrisons in Oman to help control the trade routes in the Persian Gulf. In the 3rd century AD, the Sassanids succeeded the Parthians and held the area until the rise of Islam four centuries later.Omanis were among the first people to come in contact with and accept Islam. The conversion of the Omanis is usually ascribed to, who was sent by around 630 AD to invite Jayfar and 'Abd, the joint rulers of Oman at that time, to accept the faith. In submitting to Islam, Oman became an state, ruled by an elected leader, the.During the early years of the Islamic mission, Oman played a major role in the that occurred after the death of Muhammad, and also took part in the great Islamic conquests by land and sea (Iran) and beyond. Oman's most prominent role in this respect was through its extensive trading and seafaring activities in the region and the particularly during the 19th century, when it helped introduce Islam to the certain areas of and After its submission to Islam, Oman was ruled by between 661–750, between 750–931, 932–933 and 934–967, between 931–932 and 933–934, between 967–1053, and the of between 1053–1154.
History of Oman
A decade following 's successful voyage around the Cape of Good Hope and to India in 1497–98, the Portuguese explorers arrived in Oman and occupied Muscat for a 143-year period, from 1507 to 1650. Their fortress still remains. In need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, the Portuguese built up and fortified the city, where remnants of their colonial architectural style still exist. An, during the fight for control over the Persian Gulf and the Indian OceanThe captured Muscat from the Portuguese again between 1581–88.Rebellious tribes eventually drove out the Portuguese, but they were pushed out themselves about a century later, in 1741, by the leader of a ribe leading a massive army from various allied tribes, beginning the current line of ruling sultans. Excepting a brief Persian invasion in the late 1740s, Oman has been self-governing ever since.No foreign power controlled the entirety of what is now Oman. The majority of the territory was always ruled by tribes, with colonial control contained to a few strategic port cities. Oman, as it exists now was never under the total sway of European colonization.
A legacy that has been passed on from generation to generation; the art, the culture, the folklore and the artistry has to be seen. But there is much more in the heart of Oman to explore: the sense of respect for time, for people, and for nature. Come and taste a part of Oman's rich heritage, kept alive and unchanged for generations. It may help you understand tomorrow a little better.For its size, Oman boasts an unprecedented number of UNESCO-classified World Heritage Sites including Al-Blaid; site of the ancient city of Zafar, Bat — with its tombs dating back 3,000 years, Bahla Fort, and Ras Al-Hadd; home to the rare Green Sea Turtle.
Oman's heritage features a prominent sea-faring tradition, as one would expect from a country with 1,700 Km of coastline.
Many museums and galleries around the secluded and historic harbours of Muscat and Muttrah illuminate the importance of the sea and, indeed, of water generally, throughout Oman's 5,000 year-old history.
Culture
If you are someone who has an understanding and appreciation of history, arts, architecture and the intricacies of a civil society, Oman is the place for you. From the ancient city of Nizwa to the towns along the coast to the Capital to Salallah, all seeped in history, you can experience Oman's sense of timelessness.
The Sultanate enjoys an unspoiled culture and traditional lifestyle in almost every aspect. Even in its modernity, Oman is distinctly Arabic and offers many unique old-world wonders.
The Omani culture has its roots firmly deep in the Islamic religion. Oman developed its own particular form of Islam, called Ibadhism, after its founder, Abdullah Ibn Ibadh who lived during the 7th century AD. Not all Omanis are Ibadhis however; there are also Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. Omanis are not only tolerant of the beliefs of different Muslim divisions; they are also tolerant towards believers of other faiths, who are allowed to practice their religion in churches and temples.
Muslims are required to pray five times each day after the call to prayer by the Imam. Beautiful, ornate mosques are found throughout the Sultanate, but they are not open to non-Muslim visitors. The holy month of Ramadan is a time of fasting and praying. For around 29 to 30 days each Islamic year, Muslims refrain from smoking, eating and drinking during the hours of fasting (from sunrise to sunset). Ramadan advances 10 to 11 days each year as it is governed by the lunar calendar. Out of respect, non-Muslim residents and visitors to the Sultanate are expected to observe the same principles in public.
Oman Travel Guides
The legendary home of Sinbad the Sailor, Oman retains its ancient atmosphere, coupled with luxurious hotels, striking beaches and fascinating markets. Be sure to wander the winding corridors of Mutrah Souk - the oldest market in Muscat, and marvel at the surprising tropical greenery of Salalah. Go dolphin-watching or sip Arabian coffee in an exotic majlis. Oman may be the friendliest country in the Middle East, with dramatic landscapes dotted with oases, forts and palaces that inspire exploration.
Oman is the charming, sleepy neighbour to Dubai’s life in the fast lane. It is the place to come experience the real Arabia... Sinbad’s Arabia. Occupying the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has over 2100km of coastline stretching along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. A small enclave called Ru'us Al-Jibal (“Mountaintops”) occupies the northern tip of the Musandam Peninsula at the Strait of Hormuz. This territory gives Oman its only frontage on the Persian Gulf and is separated from the main body of Oman by the United Arab Emirates. Masirah Island and Al-Hallaniyah Island are also part of Oman’s territories. Local Omanis constitute around 60% of the country’s 3 million residents. The remaining 40% are working expats of various nationalities. Outside the cities, tribal dress is colourful and faces are warm and welcoming.
Oman’s capital of Muscat is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. More like a town than a city, Muscat hosts some modern buildings and splendid hotels, but the real appeal is its ancient and exotic atmosphere. The seafront is spectacular with its red sand, picturesque buildings and the ancient alleys of Mutrah Souk. White and beige villas, palaces and forts are tucked among rugged hills which meet the sea. Bushels of brilliant bougainvilleas burst over walls and street corners. The air is quiet and fresh, the roads are smooth with little traffic.
Salalah sits far south of Muscat along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Known for its rich culture and wonders of nature, Salalah today is also contributing towards the economic boom of Oman. It has a modern port, schools, universities, hospitals and a wide range of accommodation. The most surprising thing about Salalah is its greenery. Salalah is blessed with an unusual amount of rain for the Middle East, resulting in mist-covered valleys lush with banana trees, date palms and fertile farmland. There is plenty to do and see in and around Salalah such as visiting the Lost City – the Atlantis of Arabia, following the Frankincense Trail - a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, and exploring isolated beaches. Oman is governed by a monarchy, ruled by the Sultan with the aid of a Council of Ministers. Sultan Qabus bin Sa’id has ruled Oman since 1970 and maintains friendly relations with the United Kingdom and the United States.
Weather
The best time to visit Oman is from September through April when temperatures average around 23°C in the day and 17°C in the evening. The months between May and August are particularly hot rising to 43°C with high humidity. Rainfall varies according to the region. Muscat tends to be dry, while Salalah receives monsoon rains from May to September.
Bring lightweight clothing in conservative styles. A warm wrap, sweater or jacket is useful during the cool winter evenings. Light rainwear is advisable if visiting Salalah during rainy seaso
Inhabited by Bedouin tribes as early as third millennium BC, Oman was acutely under-developed until the discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 1970s. Archaeological excavations have recently shown that much of Oman’s civilization predates the Arab period. he region embraced Islam during the lifetime of Mohammed in the seventh century AD.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the sultans of Muscat were powerful figures in Arabia and East Africa, who often came into conflict with the colonial powers in the region, particularly the Portuguese, who first settled here in the 16th century. Close ties have been maintained with Britain since 1798, when a treaty of friendship was concluded.British influence remains strong but the number of British advisers occupying key positions in the Omani government, headed by the hereditary ruler Sultan Qaboos, has steadily declined and is now limited to a handful of advisors. During the early years of the Sultan’s reign, which began in 1970, his top priority was to deal with an insurgency in the western part of hiskingdom, conducted by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO) with the backing of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen.The defeat of the insurgents served to increase both domestic and foreign pressure on Sultan Qaboos to introduce democratic reforms. A series of incremental measures have been introduced to modernise and liberalize this previously autocratic regime. Two consultative assemblies, the Majlis as-Shura and the Majlis al-Dawlah, were originally groomed to assume the functions of a bicameral parliament at the turn of the millennium. This has not happened, nor is it likely to do so in the foreseeable future.The two Majlis have some influence over domestic affairs, but no say in foreign and defence matters. Recently the franchise that elects them has been steadily expanding to include men and women over the age of 21. The most recent poll for the Majlis as-Shura in November 2003 registered little change in its make-up: no formal political parties are allowed but supporters of the Sultan are in the majority.Relations with Oman’s immediate neighbours have been cordial, especially with Yemen, since the end of the PFLO insurgency and the unification of Yemen itself. In recent years, Omani concerns have been focused further a field. In 1981, Oman was a founding member of the Gulf Co-operation Council and has played a leading role in promoting its increasing involvement in regional security issues. The country holds strategic military importance to the West and has maintained friendly relations during the last two decades.In 1994, Oman was the first Gulf state to establish official relations with Israel. Since 1998, it has also developed good relations with Iran, now extending as far as mutual security co-operation in the Gulf.
Oman has major oil trades with Japan, Korea (Rep), Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
The dress code is fairly liberal in Muscat, although decency is still expected. Women should wear, for example, tops with sleeves, and long skirts or trousers. Men are required to wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Swimwear should be restricted to the beach or pools.
Oman History, Language and Culture
History of Oman
Since the accession of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said in 1970, Oman has undergone significant political, economic and industrial reform, particularly in industry, communications, transport and education. Schooling to secondary level is free for everyone and the adult literacy rate stands at 86.7%. Higher education is still relatively young (the first university, Sultan Qaboos, opened in 1986) and with 55% of the population under 20 years old, demand for tertiary education is growing.
The sultan is the head of state and head of government and is advised by the Council of Ministers which acts as a Cabinet. All Omanis over the age of 21 are eligible to vote, the last elections in 2007 attracting 390,000 voters – 100,000 more than the previous elections in 2003.
Oman continues to play a fundamental role in promoting regional stability. In 1981, it was a founder member of the Gulf Cooperation Council and has played a leading role in regional security issues. Throughout the last three decades, the country has been of strategic importance to the West as a staging post for Anglo-American military, naval and air operations during the assaults on Afghanistan and
Close ties have been maintained with the Usince 1798, when a treaty of friendship was concluded, and British influence remains strong. Prior to this the sulta often came into conflict with the colonial powers in the region, particularly the Portuguese, who first settled in the 16th century, in an attempt to protect their eastern trade routes. However, Oman’s rich history goes back much further than that, with archaeological excavations showing that much of the civilisation in Oman predates the Arab period. The region embraced Islam during the lifetime of the Prophet.
Oman Culture
Religion:
Predominantly Muslim, including Shi'ite Muslim, Sunni Muslim and the Ibadi strand of Islam, the latter practised by 60% of the population (the only country in the world to do so). There are facilities for the worship of other religions. Around 13% of the population are Hindu.
Social conventions:
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A small gift, either promoting your company or country, is well received. Dignity and respect are key in Omani culture and public criticisms are rare. As far as dress is concerned, it is important that women dress modestly beyond the hotel grounds, ie long skirts or dresses (below the knee) with covered shoulders; men should wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Tight-fitting clothes should be restricted to hotel restaurants to avoid giving offence, although this is not strictly followed by some Westerners. Shorts should not be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except the beach. Collecting seashells, abalone, corals, crayfish and turtle eggs is also prohibited. Dumping litter is forbidden. It is polite not to smoke in public, but generally no-smoking signs are posted where appropriate; smoking is banned in public places in Homosexual behaviour is illegal.
Photography: Visitors should ask permission before attempting to photograph people or their property. 'No Photography' signs exist in certain places and must be observed.
Language in Oman
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken. Swahili is also spoken by Omani descendents from East Africa. German and French are spoken by some hotel staff while Urdu, Farsi, Hindi and Tagalog are widely spoken by Oman's large expatriate workforce.
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Oman fast trains
Transport in Oman
Oman has one expressway grade highway running along the Batinah Coast of the Gulf of Oman. It forks near Shinas, with one leading inland to Wadi Hatta and another to Fujairah. The speed limit is generally 120 km/h. In the Muscat area, this highway is known as Sultan Qaboos Street, and it is the trunk road running through the city. Outside the Muscat area, the interchanges take the form of roundabouts spaced approximately 7 km apart. Each roundabout contains unique features to enliven the streetscape. The roundabouts are named for driver navigation.
Other roads are two lane highways in very good condition. There is ample desert scenery. The road between Diba and Al Khasab is gravel, despite what some maps may sayAs soon as 2018, travelling by train through the six Gulf countries will become a reality, as the GCC Railway project is mandated to be completed in the beginning of that year, according to Al Assar. The railway will form a link between Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait on a 2177km-long track carrying freight as well as passenger trains.
Currently, the first freight trains are running on a trial basis on a 150-km route between Ruwais and Habsan in the UAE, a route which is soon to be opened as the first operative part of the railway.
Etihad Railway, the authority responsible for the network in the UAE revealed earlier that it had secured the connection to Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, and that the railway would connect to neighbouring countries Saudi Arabia and Oman early-2017. In the final stage of the project the rail network in the UAE will connect to the Northern Emirates of Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Possible extensions
Further, possible extensions are under review as we speak. In 2010, the extension of the railway to Yemen was approved and Oman is currently looking at the options,” explained Al Assar, elaborating that the railway could be drawn to Salalah on a side track.
Turkey's much-vaunted high speed rail link between the main cities of Ankara and Istanbul suffered a new setback just a week before its official opening when a train crashed in testing, media reports said Friday.
High speed trains in Oman on track for 2017
The link, which will cut train journey times between the two cities to three-and-a-half-hours, is the centrepiece of a drive by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to better exploit Turkey's under-utilised rail network.
The YHT high speed train partially derailed on Thursday after colliding with a maintenance vehicle around the town of Gebze in Kocaeli province east of Istanbul, newspaper reports said.
Noone was killed or injured but the front of the train suffered damage and will require repairs, the reports said.
However the accident is a huge embarrassment for Turkey's TCDD rail monopoly and the government just a week before the planned official opening of the full Ankara-Istanbul line on July 11.
Trains are to run at up to 250 kilometres an hour along the 500-kilometre (300-mile) line.
The Turkish rail operator confirmed the accident and said the responsibility of the crash lies with the contractor whose vehicle should not have been on the rails at the time.
It emphasised in a statement that the accident happened on a conventional speed test track and not a high speed line.
The opening had already been put back by several months due to what officials said was ththeftoverhead cables along the line.
The vast majority of Turks make long distance public journeys by bus or plane but the government wants to transform Turkey's rail network to European standards.
Much of Turkey's rail network dates back to the Ottoman Empire when it was planned and laid out by foreign powers and in particular imperial Germany.High speed trains have already been running since 2009 between Ankara and Eskisehir, around halfway on the Ankara-Istanbul line.
Train accidents have been frequent on Turkey's ageing railway network
High speed trains in Oman on track for 2017
Muscat: A high speed railway system in Oman could be completed and ready for use as early as 2017 if everything goes according to planMuneer Bin Baqir Al Mousawi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Town Planning (SCTP), has revealed that initially the trains will run at 200 kph, but they will later be increased to a speed of 400 kph.Construction work on the project would begin in 2013, with testing and commissioning slated around the 2017 to 2018 timeframe, Al Mousawi said during a presentation at the on Wednesday.The Omani government official pointed out that the rail network will connect a number of important locations around the country and, at the same time, provide safe, efficient and cost effective Omani-Spanish Business Forum, which concluded at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel transportation, which will promote commerce and tourism. High speed trains in Oman on track for 2017
Construction work on the project would begin in 2013, with testing and commissioning slated around the 2017 to 2018 timeframe.
• By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
• Published: 15:36 October 27, 1Muscat: A high speed railway system in Oman could be completed and ready for use as early as 2017 if everything goes according to plan.Muneer Bin Baqir Al Mousawi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Town Planning (SCTP), has revealed that initially the trains will run at 200 kph, but they will later be increased to a speed of 400 kph.Construction work on the project would begin in 2013, with testing and commissioning slated around the 2017 to 2018 timeframe," Al Mousawi said during a presentation at the Omani-Spanish BusinesForum, which concluded at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel on Wednesday.
The Omani government official pointed out that the rail network will connect a number of important locations around the country and, at the same time, provide safe, efficient and cost effective transportation, which will promote commerce and tourism.
Kuwait to Oman by train – no border posts
Published Sunday, May 25, 2014
ravelling by train will be like travelling by airplane once the GCC Railway is completed and operative, said representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC
he member states are cooperating and working towards open access between the countries when the anticipated railway crosses through the borders, therefore omitting the border posts, elaborated Ramiz Al Assar, World Bank resident adviser of the GCC Secretariat-General. It will be like traveling by train. If you get on board in Kuwait and get off in Oman, you will go through the border procedures in Oman,” added Ibrahim Al Sabti, Director of Transportation Department of the GCC Secretariat-General.
Procedures that normally take place at the physical border will be omitted from the trip, as to guarantee a smooth travel. If the train had to stop at every border and go through the border procedures, this may take four hours every time and that is not convenient. In this way, only people getting off will go through the border procedures of a country,” explained Al Assar.
The GCC representatives spoke about the rail network in length at the Arabian World Construction Summit that was held by Meed in Dubai last week.
The omitting of border posts does not mean leniency in visa requirements, they informed. Passengers will have to be prepared before boarding, and have the required visa at hand, much like when travelling by train.
Oman s railway project on fast track
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is currently preparing an expert panel for the railway project in the Sultanate, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, transport ancommunications minister, has said.
The expert panel, according to the minister, will comprise engineers with the required experience and technical expertise in the field of railway construction to steer a project of this size.
In a statement to Oman News Agency, the minister said that the financial and technical offers from the pre-qualified companies for the tender for consultancy services for design and supervision of the railway project were recently opened.
The technical and financial offers were currently being studied in cooperation with the Tender Board to award them the tender, he pointed out.
He added that the Transport and Communications Ministry would offer the consultancy services documents for the tender of the management of the railway project to the pre-qualified companies.
The railway project in Oman would be having the standard specifications as part of the GCC railway project, he said.
Economic growth
The project would boost economic growth and sustainable development on the national and regional levels and would also enhance economic integration, while facilitating trade exchange and promotion of industries.
The project would serve as a new model for transportation as it would help transport large quantities of goods. While it would allow a large number of people to travel long distances in the six GCC countries, the project would also contribute to generating job opportunities for locals.
The total length of the railway project in the Sultanate would be about 1,061km, extending from the line that connects the wilayat of Al Buraimi and Al Ain in the UAE to the wilayat of Sohar 136km and Sohar to Muscat Governorate 242km and from Muscat to the wilayat of A’Duqum 486 km.
The minister pointed out that the railway network in the Sultanate would be connected with the UAE through border point Khatmat Milaha that connects Sohar to Fujairah (58km).
To ensure better connection with airports, ports and power plants, the project would include a number of sub branches in Al Buraimi (27km), to Sohar Industrial Port (8km, the central train station in Muscat near Muscat International Airport (20km) and the wilayat of Ibra (84km).
In the future, there are plans to link the project with other parts of Al A’Duqum towards Dhofar Governorate by connecting the GCC railway project to the Yemeni Republic.
He also pointed out that the railway line of the Sultanate has been designed to suit passenger trains running at a speed of 200km/hr and between 80 to 120km/hour for goods train. This will be a standard specification for all GCC countries. He said the analytical studies for testing the operational energy for the trains and the ideal alternatives were currently being evaluated (either to use diesel or electricity).
This is being done in view of the geographic terrains of the Sultanate with many high and low areas, especially the area from Al Buraimi to Sohar which has a one per cent slope angle.
This increases the operational costs for the railway line.
The use of electricity will give more propelling power to the trains, and therefore is recommended for use with trains.
He pointed out that diesel would be used for an integrated operation of the GCC trains. In this connection, the ministry affirmed its keenness to achieve standardization, integration and harmony of the technical specifications of the operation of the railway network in the GCC countries.
The ministry is also keen to standardise the legislations for all the projects stages which may include design, implementation, operation and maintenance to ensure safety, security and facilitate domestic, regional and international connection.
He pointed out that the timetable of the project comes under an initial agreement to complete the infrastructure of the project by the end of 2017 in all GCC countries with standard specifications as per the pre agreed timetable and plan.
The minister also pointed out that regular meetings of the specialized technical committees are being held to ensure constant follow up so as to expedite implementation.
MUSCAT Business schools and colleges
Top Universities, Colleges and Business Schools in Muscat
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Top Rated MBAs in Muscat Oman
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) are postgraduate degree programs in management, in their own league. The MBA is the traditional academic offer for management education. The universities answer to questions from business for a precise and profound qualification for the future and modern managers based on a standardized title. It is frequently shortened as MBA or M.B.A. and in opposition to the Master of Science (MSc) or the Master of Arts (MA) it without a doubt points to one program solely.
MBA is a program designed for students who want to further their academic skills and apply them to actual real-life business situations. It guides students to reflect and reposition themselves in terms of choosing their future careers. Students gain a broad understanding of the key functions of a range of business areas and use these skills to contribute to strategic direction of a business.
Higher education system in Oman is done in the five common international languages namely
Hull University Business School MBA
We have selected this degree course due to the curriculum’s merits in preparing graduates for life in the real business world. Subjects like leadership, team development to grow your business effectiveness are combined with communication and negotiation skills to increase your assets value in a managerial position. Students are exposed to real life situations and full time students can visit our international partner business schools and Executive MBA students can include an oversees study module. Work based elements give students a real insight into how qualitmanagement decisions benefit organisations. Your MBA equips you to manage effectively within the changing corporate landscape, with a deep understanding of corporate social responsibilitCSRin practice and sustainable growth, further enhancing your employability. Out network on international businesses, including corporates partners give you access to business leaders throughout the world. Previous graduates of the Hull MBA have progressed their careers and hold diverse roles across many leading organisations.
All MBA students are eligible to join the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and on successful completion of the MBA, will be awarded the CMI Level Seven Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership and will be able to apply for Chartered Manager Status. Our global alumni association offers a wide range of networking and career enhancement opportunities, including Alumni Connect, the school’s continuing professional development schemeTo be eligible for admission, applicants should normally possess - a minimum of three years’ appropriate post-graduation work experience - a good Bachelors degree (equivalent to a first or second class UK Honours degree) or an equivalent professional qualification. Applicants for whom English is their second language will also be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 575 (or 90 for the internet-based test). Applicants may be exempt from the requirement to complete IELTS or TOEFL tests if they have evidence of equivalent English language proficiency – for example, if they have completed a degree in an English-speaking country or institution within the last five years or if they have worked in a predominantly English-speaking work environment for more than five years.
Oman, Muscat: The American International School of Muscat
The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) is an independent, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from Early Childhood (three years old) through grade 12 for American and other international students in Oman. The school year comprises two semesters, extending from late August to early June. The school weekend is Thursday and Friday.he School is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors.The curriculum is similar to that of U.S. public and private college-preparatory schools. Instruction is in English. French, Arabic, and Spanish are taught as foreign languages, and Arabic is offered as a heritage language to Arabic speakers. The School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools.In the 2011-2012 school year, there are 75 The School moved to its new campus in 2000. To keep in line with student enrollment, facilities were added in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008; and new Middle School and Elementary School classrooms were added in August 2010. The expanded campus includes 51 classrooms, 4 information and communication technology laboratories, 5 visual arts studios, performance hall, drama classroom, 4 music practice classrooms, 5 science laboratories, Early Childhood Development Center, library/media center, ESL rooms, special needs rooms, cafeteria, 2 indoor gymnasiums, competition swimming pool, outdoor covered sports courts, grass-surfaced sports field, 4 playgrounds, physical education fitness center, nurse’s room, staff lounge, and office spaces. The School has begun construction on its campus of a Center for the Performing Arts that will include a theater to accommodate 550 guests. Cocurricular activities include basketball, drama, band, choir, music, soccer, swimming, volleyball, track and field, Model United Nations,community service, and publications in the middle and high schools, as well as elementary school clubs.In the 2011-2012 school year, about 98.7% of the School’s income derives from tuition and fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: EC1–2: $10,142; K and grades 15: $16,140; grades 68: $19,391; and grades 9-12: $20,596. The School also charges a registration fee of $130 and a nonrefundable capital levy fee of $10,233 for grades K–12. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
Jobs in Muscat
oday’s world of international business has to find a way to meet the multiple challenges presented by a globalised economy, rising national debts and fiscal deficits, and also cope with the growing demand for new generations of business leaders able to ensure their companies remain competitive within the global marketplace.
This new breed of young entrepreneur is to be found not only in Europe and the US, but also, in ever increasing numbers, within Asia and the Middle East. From New York to London, Dubai to Singapore, Moscow to Shanghai, the multi-centred world of international business spans cultures and connects societies across the globe.
The BA in International Business at MIUC aims to balance theoretical knowledge with the best of present-day of industry practices, providing students with the skill-sets essential for their future career advancement; such as problem solving, decision-making, creative thinking, teamwork, and flexibility and cross-cultural competence.
Career prospects: The programme has been designed for students pursuing careers in corporate finance, investment banking, business management, international trade, international development and private entrepreneurship. Future employers include multinational corporations, global businesses, hedge-fund organisations, governmental institutions and NGO’s
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Oman - Muscat Forex Trading
Trading account
One to one free training
Micro account is designed for training of beginner traders to trade without assistance and usually is used as intermediate when transferring from demo account to "Standard" account. It's possible to trade most popular currency pairs with fixed spread and high leverage on accounts of this group
Find out the best Forex brokers operating in Oman. Oman is far from one of the most popular countries when it comes to foreign exchange trading, but this doesn’t mean that you are not able to start your forex career there. Before doing so, it is essential for you to learn a couple of things regarding the currency rates of the nation.
Before 1940, the Maria Theresa Thaler(also known locally as rial) and the Indian rupee were the main currencies that were circulating in Oman. However, a couple of years later, the coints were introduced in Oman. On the other hand, the Indian rupee continued circulating through the country.
The situation changed in 1970 when for official currency twas made the rial Saidi. It was actually equal to the British pound and replaced the rupee with approximate rate of 21 rupees to rial. Back in 1973 up to 1986 the rial was pegged to the US dollar and the currency pair was set to 1 rial 2.85 dollars. However, a couple of years ago this amount was denominated
The central bank in Oman has the most important regulatory functions ever since it was established. It is important to know that its main goal is to make the inflation as low as possible by making the economy grow as much as possible.
Actually the current political and economic situation in Oman is not that bad and the foreign exchange market is preferred by many novice forex traders because of its steady fluctuations. Therefore, the market is not really suitable for risky players who are in need of high stakes and huge volatility.
Below we will post a list of brokers that every person can take a look at. Remember that it is always better to open a demo account first and try some strategies until you learn how to trade properly.
Otherwise, if you start trading on your own with real money and no experience, then you will not last much – you can be sure of that. Usually the Oman rial is tied to the Indian rupee and this is why this currency pair is really popular among traders there.
However, here is the promised list of forex brokers that you can use in the country. Keep in mind that all of them have been tried and are completely reliable.
The dynamic world of forex trading
There is no better than with PaxForex. PaxForex believes in excellence both in terms of user experience and customer service. PaxForex provides its clients forex trading opportunities which comply with the best forex brokers regulatory. Users can start with forex contest accounts that are loaded with an initial amount of money that you can use to participate in contexts and get the chancewinprizestoeinvestinforex accounts.Our goal is to help and create real forex traders like you, succeed in online forex trading. PaxForex is constantly hosting some sort of forex contest for their users so you can start with a and start trading for with no money. Win the contest and we will credit your account with a prize, which you can then invest in real forex trading and use this credit to earn forex profits. Forex traders new and experienced will not regret signing up to PaxForex and starting their right now.
Our goal at PaxForex is to provide clients an efficient means to online forex trading. PaxForex clients use innovative online-trading technologies and gain access to information resources and news of the leading world agencies. Today, our Forex services are used by Forex traders around the world, from Tokyo to Los Angeles. Among them are both, new traders and professionals of the Forex market. By opening an account, you will have an access to trading on the Forex, CFD, as well as futures trading and commodity markets (Commodities).
Our online at PaxForex is the metatrader 4 platform. It is a well-known and an advanced platform that carries out variety of services for its clients. Unlike many other online trading websites, PaxForex offers a to all new registering members. There is no rejection policy to worry about, and it offers a leverage ranging from 1:1 to 1:500. All transactions and processes are laid out explicitly and in simple terms. Everything we do is built to the advantage of you, our forex traders.
PaxForex offers a free forex bonus upon registration. Our PaxForex trading conditions is a universal tool to manage your funds on the Forex market. Our main goal is to provide high quality services for the investment to make profits from trading in international financial markets.
When you sign up you have ultimate freedom in choosing from PaxForex offers a wide variety of forex accounts to our clients to suit their individual needs. Ranging from individual account, executive or even the micro account, clients have every opportunity to choose whatever accounts they like.
PaxForex also continually holds their own forex contest giving clients the opportunity to win extra credits they can use to increase their forex accounts and forex profits. Depending on the typeof orexcontest,thetradersareallowedtojoinatanytime.PaxForex is honest and open about all our practices and you will never enter any trading or forex contest without your personal approval. We provide the members with everything about our forex system, trading and contests as well as any prices before you commit. PaxForex always informs its clients about the best o PaxForex is one of the best online forex brokers.
PaxForex is a leading forex trading website not only popular for its user-friendly system, its forbonusoortheforexcontestandtheservicesitoffers.
It is also known for providing its members with daily updates and current news about the happenings within the forex market, including all the major news influencing the and the activity of. We welcome you to join the best forex trading broker PaxForex right now into so you can experience the difference of forex trading
OMR - Omani Rial
The Omani Rial is the currency of Oman. Our show that the most popular Oman Rial exchange rate is the. The for Rials is OMR, and the is ﷼. Below, you'll find and a currency converter. You can also subscribe to our with daily rates and analysis, read or take OMR rates on the go with our and website. Clients can trade the major currencies 24 hours a day, with over 300 instruments available. We also offer an extensive range of cross currency combinations across all majors, with highly competitive spreads. Trade multiple product types including Spot FX, indices shares commodities bullions.
OFB customers are offered competitive prices on the world's major currency pairs with bid-ask spreads normally only available to the inter-bank Spot market. OFB offers margin rates as low as 1% and available trade sizes as low as USD10,000 (or equivalent) and as high as USD1 Billion. All clients are offered the most professional service irrespective of trade size or frequency of trading.
Oman FOREX Trading News
Banking, Finance & Investment Press Releasesis one of the biggest traded markets in the World and is considered as the most liquid financial market with the daily volume of more than US $ 1 trillion. The trading involves the exchange of one currency for another between two parties at an agreed rate. It is working by way of buying and selling world currencies taking the profit from the exchange.
A person can take part in Forex Exchange Trading through a number of Forex brokers serving Oman. established in January 1994, is licensed and regulated by Central Bank of the UAE, to conduct brokerage in UAE. OFB serves trades in Oman as well as all over the Middle East.
One of the best online trading companies in the Middle East, OFB online trading service gives customers an opportunity to trade over 2,000 financial instruments such as Share and Stock Index CFDs from all major financial markets of the world.
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Omani Rial
Oman’s has achieved significant economic growth since the early 1990s based on the increase in oil prices in 1999.
Oman liberalized its markets in order gain membership in the World Trade Organization, which it joined in 2000.
The main supports of the economy are no longer goat and camel herding, traditional handicrafts, fishing, and agriculture.
At present, Oman’s economy is based in its oil industry. Oil was discovered in 1964 by Fahud in the western desert, and oil production began in August 1967.
In the mid-2002, oil production was more than 900,000 barrels per day. Its oil production maintained and supported its exporting demands, but Oman is not a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).The and Maria Theresa Thaler were the main currencies in Muscat and Oman. Indian Rupees circulated on the coast and the Thaler was used in the interior.n 1940, coins were introduced in Dhofar, and in 1946 another series of coins was issued for use in Oman. Both coins were denominated in Baisa, with a rate of 200 Baisa 1 Rial.The became the official currency of Oman in 1970. The Saudi Riyal was equivalent to the and replaced the Gulf Rupee at a rate of 21 Rupees = 1 Rial.
Muscat-Oman top Shopping Malls
Shopping Malls
Muscat has come a long way from the simple old souks to the bustling , ultra modern shopping complexes that have sprung up in the city in recent times. The Capital area has a number of shopping malls, mostly situated in Qurum at the split of the main highway, and in the Al Khuwair area facing the Government ministries. Local produce in the super markets is reasonably priced and of a good standard. There are many furniture shops selling Western style furniture, handicraft shops,and a few galleries which renovate and customise antique Middle Eastern and Indian furniture.
All the shopping malls are fully air-conditioned,brightly lit and cleaned round the clock, have their own mix of shops and showrooms, car parks, cafes and food courts and play areas for childrenocation: Qurum
Commercial area
PO Box : 234,Jibroo,Postal Code 114
Tel: 24566180,Fax : 24566186
e-mail : alaraimi@omantel.net.om
A popular meeting place and great find for the latest in European and International fashion and accessories. Home to brand names like JC Penny, Giordano, Mexx, Versace, Bata of Italy, Rolex, Kenwood, Bose, Bosch, Carlton Cards and Acer. Also houses shops dealing in Music, Electronics, Perfumes, Art, Crystalware, Footwear, Sports Gear, Gifts, Greeting Cards, Furniture.Burger King and Golden Gate help in stemming the hunger pangs of shoppers.
Away from the busy Qurum and Ruwi areas,this mall houses shops selling the latest music tapes and CDs, Clothes, sporting and diving equipment,a greeting card shop, an internet cafe, and Al Fair supermarket. The mall has a separate food court and includes restaurants like Cafe Glacier, Muscateers, Iranian restaurant and Pizza land.
Shopping MallOman
LuLu Hypermarkets offer an ultra-modern shopping ambience by integrating all conceivable needs of the consumers under one roof. LuLu Hypermarkets have extensively laid out counters, sprawling parking spaces, play areas for children, food court, money exchange and bank counters besides a panoply of international and regional brands aptly justifying its tagline, LuLu, where the world comes to shop
LuLu Hypermarkets not only dot the cities of the UAE but have become the most preferred shopping destinations in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain,Yemen, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Located in the exclusive Shatti Al Qurum area and close to the beach and the Muscat Intercontinental, the Grand Hyatt and the Sheraton Qurum Beach Resort. It has a variety of outlets selling items like crystal ware, toys and gift and handicrafts. The Oman Heritage Gallery showcases Omani locally produced crafts and gift items. Restaurants include D'Arcy's Kitchen, O Sole Mio and Pizza Land are found in the ground floor.
Muscat City Centre
Muscat City Centre opened in October 2001 and is one of the leading shopping and lifestyle destinations in Oman. Featuring over 142 international and local brands – many of which have made their debut into Oman for the first time, and 18 restaurants and cafés, Muscat City Centre underwent a major expansion in 2007 which almost doubled the size of the mall by introducing more than 60 new stores, and increasing its retail space to 60,484 sqm.
Muscat City Centre offers a range of popular shopping and dining options designed to meet the needs of the wider community from the latest trends in fashion, furniture and electronics or more practical conveniences like banking services, pharmacies and optical centres. The mall is anchored by a Carrefour hypermarket, a Magic Planet family entertainment centre, Home Centre, the value-added E-Max and Max stores, Sun & Sand Sports and a number of fashion brands including Marks & Spencer, Zara, GAP, H&M and the multi-brand store Centrepoint. Muscat City Centre also houses a Toys 'R' Us and Zara Home store, which round off the mall’s major anchors.
Located in Seeb conveniently on the Al Sultan Qaboos Highway, Muscat City Centre has its own dedicated flyover with multi-level parking for 2,250 visitors. Qurum City Centre is Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ second venture in Oman after the hugely successful Muscat City Centre. Strategically located in the commercial hub of up market Qurum area, the project stretches across a gross leasable area (GLA) of over 20,600 square metres.
The Centre opened its doors to the public in October 2008 and is home to over 75 retail outlets with anchor store Carrefour and popular brands such as H&M, BHS, Mango and Borders. The merchandise mix includes a strong representation in key categories such as fashion, F&B and other convenience and service sectors. Qurum City Centre has a designated food court, convenient access to and from the mall, with more than 900 parking lots and a taxi pick-up facility.
Muscat City CentreCity Centre Mall
City Centre Mall is the biggest and best shopping centre in Oman. It opened in 2001 and its correct name is Muscat City Centre, which can confuse people as it is several kilometres outside Muscat's city centre. It belongs to the Majid Al Futtaim chain of malls, which include the Mall of the Emirates and Bahrain City Centre.
together the mall houses 144 retail outlets and 20 restaurants. They include a huge Carrefour hypermarket, where you can buy just about everything from camping equipment to fresh lobsters. There is also a large Borders bookstore, stocking a good selection of English books, and a Centrepoint. One section has designer clothes stores, like Giordano, Misako and Bally. The food court includes a variety of fast food outlets, such as McDonald's, KFC, Hardees, Subway, Cinnabon and Baskin RobbinThere is a Magic Planet entertainment area for children. The malls multitorey car park has spaces for over 1,500 cars.
Muscat Shopping
Readymade Garments is one of many shops in Mutrah Souq where you can buy traditional clothes. I was invitated into the shop by a pushy salesman. But he was was OK and gave me many hints and told me about the different styles. The price for a Dishdasha and cumma started at 10 rials. I got it for 7 rials. Mutrah Souq is the largest shopping area in Muscat, and one of the largest traditional markets in the Arab Gulf States.
What to buy: A wide variety of items ranging like spices, traditional items, local crafts, Omani daggers, saddles, frankincense, baskets, wool carpets, Kelims, wall hangings, a variety of clothes, perfumes and of course there are shops which sell Western-style products.
What to pay: Most of the products suit the budget of foreign visitors. And bargain is accepted
Muscat Kidney Centres
More kidney transplant centres mooted
An increase in the number of those suffering from kidney ailments is putting pressure on existing kidney transplant centres across the sultanate.
Speaking about the issue, Dr Yakoob bin Ahmed al Maimani, senior nephrologist at the Renal Dialysis Centre (RDC) in Baus-her, said, “Kidney ailments are common not only in Oman, but worldwide. However, two issues need redressal on a priority basis.
“The first is that diabetes and hypertension can lead to kidney disease. Hence, we need to change our lifestyle. There is a growing trend of obesity in our society. Secondly, we need more kidney transplant centres across the country to provide better access to patients.”
Dr Maimani added that at least 900 people suffering from kidney-related ailments visit 18 RDCs across the country daily. A medical officer of the nephrology department at The Royal Hospital said, “There has been an increase in the number of people suffering from kidney ailments in recent times.”
Citing hypertension and diabetes as the main reasons for the increasing number of kidney ailments, he said, “Due to a busy lifestyle and stressful work environment, people neglect their diet and health. They must check their blood sugar levels and exercise regularly.”
A special unit was set up to conduct kidney transplants at The Royal Hospital in 2005.
Around 3,340 acute kidney disease patients were treated in Oman from 1983 to 2010, acco-rding to Ministry of Health statistics. Of this, 1,678 survived, with 898 undergoing dialysis on a regular basis while 780 have had kidney transplants.
Kidney ailments in Oman are also caused by a lack of water content in the human body. Dr (Col) K M Harikrishnan, consultant general and laparoscopic surgeon at KIMS Oman Hospital, said, “Kidney-related ailments are common in desert countries. Because of prevailing climatic conditions, water dries up faster in the human body. The basic function of the kidneys is to filter impurities from the blood. If there is less water, it can even lead to kidney stones.”
Muscat Private Hospital
Muscat Private Hospital opened in 22nd November, 2000 and is Muscat's premier private medical facility. Located in the rapidly developing and scenic area of Bausher, we are a 72bed General Hospital, with first-class ouatient and in-patient facilities for the majority of specialties, including a Diagnostic Centre with C.T. Scan and the latest "open" MRI. Setting high standards of care for the benefit of patients in the private sector, the hospital is managed by Allied Medicalart of UMEan international hospital management group with more than 27 years of experience in the Middle East. Starcare Hospital, a part of Starcare Health Systems UK, is an upcoming 50bed premium level facility at Muscat. Our mission is to provide modern and advanced healthcare technologies to the public along with utmost and continuous care with a healing touch. Starcare Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility blended with KIMS Oman Hospital OHis a 50 bedded hospital, equipped with excellence in healthcare delivery, will offer world class facility and state of the art technologies dedicated to Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Neurology, General Medicine, Woman’s Health, Urology, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Dermatology, Endocrinology, ENT, Gastro-Enterology Ophthalmology, Anaesthsiology, Family Medicine, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery and Dentistry.highly qualified and experienced doctors and paramedical staffs supported with cutting edge medical technology.
Hello World of Kidney Failure Patients:
Good News Specially to the Early Stages of Kidney Failure Patients
No need to go for dialysis to the patients who have not yet started the dialysis and the ones who have started their dialysis recently, is possible to stop the dialysis in coming months. Keep away the thought of kidney transplantation from your mind.Medicine is in powder form to be taken one teaspoonful with half cup of normal drinking water two times a day, after meals 'To Save Your Kidneys For Life Time'. This herbal composition works as a kidney rejuvenator, the kidney function gets rectified and you will feel the improvements within 15 days trial medication only.Here is the patient Mrs Sayeedabi Maqbulahmed Maniyar [lady in the video] of Onikeri, near Hanagal - Karnataka State, had serum creatinine 5.7 on the date 07 Dec 2010, showed 0.94 on 04 Jan 2011. She has taken medicine for five months only. You may contact her relative for the information +91 98451 50285, +91 98441 29359. See the video ugh the Ancient Indian Books related to Ayurveda and many more herbal books, and going through the properties, we have selected so many herbs which are having the quality of rejuvenating the kidneys even if in damaged condition. This can be experienced and felt only, by having the medicine for 15 days. For ordering the medication You will notice the creatinine and blood urea coming down, while Hb improving, within the trial medication period, along with your increased energy levels. Going through your positive reports, have this medication for another four to six months, to become normal, and there is no need to go for further medication. Make your kidneys work for Life Time.
Services provided by Muscat Private Hospital:
Executive Health Screening for men and women• Primary goal of the Health Screening is to prevent diseases by detecting it early enough.
• Current guidelines recommend that Health Screening be performed every 1-3 years before the age of 50years and every year thereafter. If there is a strong family history then it should be done more frequently.
• Studies show that even a brief tobacco counselling session, by physicians, results in a significant rate of long term smoking cessation.
• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is capable of enhancing the detection of early prostate cancer.
• It is recommended to do a PAP smear within 3 years of onset of sexual activity and every 1-3years thereafter.
• Mammography of women >40 years of age is recommended every 1 years.
• For colorectal cancer screening, FOB Faecal Occult Blood) should be checked every year and either a sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or colonoscopy every 10 years in people aged > 50 years of age.
• Osteoporsis screening should be performed periodically 60 years of age. If there is a family history of early osteoporsis, eating disorders or steroid treatment it should be started earlier.
• Vaccinations should be updated yearly. It is recommended to take tetanus every 10 years, Influenza vaccine yearly if 50years and pneumococcal vaccine if 65 years or some other co-morbidity condition. All women of child bearing age should receive 1 dose of MMR and the MPV vaccine has proven to reduce cancer of the cervix.
• Blood sugar and cholesterol should be checked if 5 years of age and earlier if there are additional risks.
• If proper interventions including a few therapeutic lifestyle measures are initiated in time, it can have immense health benefits including prevention of coronary disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes
For a booking & information telephone 8007005 & 97055126Pre-Pregnancy Care PlanFor a booking & information telephone 24583792Health Screening for men & women
Comprehensive Gold & Silver packages
Risk factor related screening cardiac and diabetes
For a booking & information telephone 24583731 & 97055126Immunisation Travel Packages in Oman and abroad
For a booking & information telepPre employment packages
Insurance medical packages
Annual medical packages
For a booking & information telephone 24583731 Packages can be tailor-made to company requirements
What is Renal Failure
Renal Failure is referring to a pathological condition of kidney damage when it developed to final stage, in which the kidney function partial lost or whole lost caused by all kinds of chronic kidney diseases. It can be classified into Acute Kidney Failure and Chronic Kidney Failure.
1. Acute Kidney Failure: It is a rapidly progressive loss of renal function. Generally when the blood supplying to the kidneys is insufficient, and when the kidney function is damaged by any blockage or when the kidneys are injured by the toxin, Acute Kidney Failure will occur.
2. Chronic Kidney Failure: The main cause of Chronic Kidney Failure is long-term kidney disease pathological changing. Along with the time and disease development, the renal function may gradually decrease, and last it developed to Kidney Failure.
Chronic Kidney Failure is a clinical syndrome consisted by a series of clinical symptoms and endocrine biochemical metabolic disorders which is caused by kidney diseases resulting in slow progression of renal function complete loss