Muscat: On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health unveiled the Oman National Health Policy, a significant step aimed at enhancing the healthcare system in the Sultanate of Oman and aligning with the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
The ceremony was presided over by Sayyid Dr. Sultan Ya’arub Al Busaidi, Advisor at the Private Office.
During the launch, Dr. Ahmed Salem Al Mandhari, the Undersecretary for Health Planning and Regulation at the Ministry of Health, delivered a speech highlighting that this milestone was achieved through dedicated efforts and effective collaboration among various sectors and partners.
He noted that the policy was crafted through a collaborative process, ensuring it aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and responds to global health trends, positioning it as a foundation for a more effective, fair, and sustainable healthcare system.
Al Mandhari emphasized the principle of “Health for All, by All,” which embodies a collective vision where health is a shared responsibility necessitating the combined efforts of all sectors and stakeholders.
He pointed out that both individual and community health are affected by numerous factors beyond the conventional healthcare system, including education, housing, income, working conditions, and environmental and economic influences.
To address this, the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach has been implemented. He stressed the need for collaboration and integration among government and non-government entities, stakeholders, and the community to enhance health outcomes and mitigate the adverse effects of public policies on individual health.
He outlined that the objectives of the HiAP approach include improving population health, promoting health equity, integrating health considerations into government policy-making, and ensuring that decisions prioritize public health while preventing potential health risks.
Dr. Hana Balkhy, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, highlighted in her address on behalf of the Organization that Oman’s National Health Policy is in harmony with the WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, the Strategic Operational Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2025-2028, and the WHO’s three flagship initiatives aimed at increasing access to medications, strengthening the health workforce, and addressing substance use issues.
She also noted that a key strength of this National Health Policy (NHP) is its acknowledgment that the health and well-being of the population is a collective responsibility.
The National Health Policy marks a significant step forward in the evolution of Oman’s healthcare system, serving as a crucial update to earlier policies. It emphasizes sustainability, governance, and the enhancement of partnerships across various sectors.
This policy presents a holistic healthcare model that responds to demographic and epidemiological changes while prioritizing sustainable health financing and the incorporation of digital technologies to enhance service delivery.
It aims to address major challenges within the healthcare sector, such as the increase in non-communicable diseases, the aging population, and the need for sustainable health financing in the long term.
At the core of its strategy is the improvement of healthcare quality, the encouragement of decentralization, and the optimization of governance frameworks to ensure more effective and equitable management of healthcare resources.
