Strategic Direction
A Leading Healthcare System with International Standards
Strategic Direction
The health priority targets “A Leading Healthcare System with International Standards” — an aspiration to move from adequate coverage to genuine international excellence in clinical care, health promotion, and medical research.
Performance Indicators
| Indicator | Baseline | 2030 Target | 2040 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Legatum Prosperity Index | 79.03 / Rank 33 (2018) | >81.257 / Top 20 | >81.257 / Top 20 |
| Healthy Life Expectancy at Birth | 65.6 years (2016) | 67 years | 70 years |
2025 Progress
National Health Policy: Launched in 2024/2025, providing the first comprehensive policy framework for the healthcare system aligned with Vision 2040 objectives.
Omani Genome Programme: Establishment of a national human genomic and health data programme creates the foundation for precision medicine — a transformative capability that positions Oman at the frontier of healthcare innovation.
Infrastructure: 10 new health institutions opened in the reporting period, extending geographic coverage across governorates.
Clinical milestones: The first heart transplant from a brain-dead person was performed in Oman — a clinical milestone indicating the development of high-complexity surgical capabilities that previously required medical tourism.
Digital health: Technology integration in healthcare services has accelerated, with digital platforms supporting appointment scheduling, prescription management, and clinical data management.
Structural Challenges
Private sector participation: Oman’s healthcare remains predominantly government-provided. Vision 2040’s ambition to involve the private sector more meaningfully — both in service delivery and in funding — requires regulatory frameworks that attract private hospital investment while maintaining universal access.
Specialist capacity: Oman has made progress in primary care but continues to refer complex cases abroad for treatment. Building domestic specialist capacity in oncology, neurosurgery, and complex cardiac procedures requires sustained investment in specialist training and infrastructure.
Prevention vs. treatment: The emphasis on curative healthcare needs to be balanced with a more aggressive preventive approach. Non-communicable diseases — diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity — represent a growing burden that prevention can address more cost-effectively than treatment.
Key Institutions
Ministry of Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Royal Hospital, Oman Medical Specialty Board.