Muscat: The Ministry of Health has announced that the health initiatives and programs recently approved by the Council of Ministers during a meeting chaired by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik represent a significant advancement in the healthcare sector of the Sultanate of Oman and lay the foundation for a promising future.
Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, the Minister of Health, expressed appreciation for the Council of Ministers’ decision to initiate a national program aimed at the early screening of prevalent cancers among women, which will involve the establishment of seven early detection units across all governorates in Oman.
In an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA), the minister stated, "This initiative demonstrates the government's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for citizens, safeguarding families, and facilitating early detection, treatment, and prevention of these diseases through the use of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI)."
He further noted that the plans to create a nuclear radioisotope facility and a nuclear pharmacy are designed to meet the increasing demand for radio-pharmaceutical isotopes used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. These facilities will serve as essential diagnostic and educational resources, positioning the Sultanate of Oman as a hub for research and studies in this field.
Dr. Hilal also highlighted that the establishment of a national center for ophthalmology and eye surgery is a response to the growing need for this critical service, with the center set to be outfitted with the latest diagnostic technologies.
Additionally, he emphasized that the creation of the National Human Genome and Data Centre (Genome Oman) represents a significant step towards developing a national genomic database for Omanis. "This initiative will enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve precision medicine and healthcare," he added.
Dr. Hilal emphasized the Health Ministry's commitment to implementing the directives of the Council of Ministers by developing strategies to operationalize these instructions.
These health initiatives and projects will play a significant role in advancing the health priority objectives outlined in Oman Vision 2040, which aim to ensure equitable access to high-quality healthcare across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
