Between 1980 and 2011 the under-five mortality rate decreased by 80 per cent in the Sultanate of Oman. This progress has been realised, in part, through the Government of Oman’s commitment to universal health care through the development of the National Primary Health Committee (NPHC) in 1985. Primary health care in Oman is managed by the Ministry of Health, which operates 116 health centres, 24 sub-regional hospitals, and 4 national hospitals.
The primary health care system in Oman provides access to a comprehensive health care package free of charge to all Omani citizens. The first point of contact is often made through the sub-regional facilities, which were first implemented in 1993 to increase the extent of health coverage in Oman. The sub-regional system encourages a decentralised approach and engages closely with communities to promote equal access, self-reliance and community participation for effective delivery. In addition to the decentralised system, health care services are available through a network of health centres at the local level which provide access to diagnostic services and basic care while a network of national-level hospitals provide more specialised services. This network of health facilities effectively reaches approximately 95 per cent of the population and mobile health teams are provided in order to reach the remaining 5 per cent in more remote areas of the country.
Access to primary health care in Oman has been facilitated by the NPHC, which made recommendations dating back to 1985 resulting first in the launch of a Child Care Plan in 1986 and a National Woman and Child Care Plan in 1997. As a result the Ministry of Health established a strong network of health care facilities with qualified professionals in order to provide quality services to all Omanis. While Oman’s health care scheme is designed to be inclusive, some challenges remain in reaching the entire population, including migrants. Still, strong investments in health care, such as Oman’s primary health system, form an essential part of the national social protection floor, and ensure that all citizens have access to health care.
Further Reading:
World Health Organization (2010). Country Cooperation Strategy for WHO and Oman 2010–2015 Oman. WHO-EM/ARD/036/E. Accessed from http://applications.emro.who.int/docs/CCS_Oman_2010_EN_14485.pdf on 11 November 2013.