[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Oman is a high-income country with a <\/span>per capita gross domestic product (GDP)<\/span><\/a> of US$ 23,300 and a <\/span>population<\/span><\/a> of 4.6 million people in 2023. The <\/span>World Bank Group<\/span><\/a> reports that in 2022 Omanis had an average life expectancy at birth of 74 years, and noncommunicable diseases account for 67% of illness and death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”A system based on primary health care” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said led a series of reforms, with health care as a focal aspect of his agenda. His vision of a universal health care system with free primary health care for all Omanis formed the backbone of today\u2019s health system in Oman.[1]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The <\/span>Country Cooperation Strategy for WHO and Oman 2021\u20132025<\/a> describes Oman\u2019s health system as having gone through three phases. The first phase (1976\u20131990) was directed at building the country\u2019s health infrastructure. The second phase (1991\u20132005) focused on the development of various health system elements and their governance subsystems, with plans developed at central, regional and local levels. The third phase (begun in 2005), centers comprehensive health care coverage using high-level strategic planning to pinpoint and address specific needs.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 4 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The primary health care system in Oman provides access to a comprehensive health care package free of charge to all Omani citizens, and compulsory health insurance for expatriates advancing the country to fuller universal health coverage. The government in Oman owned and operated 60.2% of hospitals in the country in 2019<\/a>. With increasing demand for health care, the government began expanding the role of the private sector and establishing a national accreditation system to strengthen the quality of care and patient safety in private institutions. [2]<\/a><\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”High government health expenditure, low out-of-pocket spending ” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=” HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n According to the<\/span> Global Health Expenditure Database<\/span><\/a>, per capita health expenditure increased by 58% between 2011 and 2021. However, current health expenditure (CHE) represented 4.4% of GDP in 2021, which was below the regional average of 9%. Nevertheless, out-of-pocket spending as a share of CHE was low at 6.1% in 2021, which means financial protection to Omani citizens was strong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n