Over 2,600 traffic mishap hospitalisations recorded
Published: 05:07 PM,Jul 16,2025 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 16,2025
The seminar brought together officials, medical professionals, and social specialists to discuss practical strategies for improving road safety, especially among young people.
SALALAH, JULY 16
More than 2,668 road accident victims were treated at Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah during the first half of 2025, according to senior medical staff. The high figure underscores the mounting pressure on emergency services in Dhofar and highlights the ongoing risks facing road users in the Sultanate of Oman.
The number was disclosed by Basim bin Jumaan al Maas, Senior Nurse in the hospital’s Emergency Department, during a road safety awareness seminar held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah.
The seminar was organised by the Directorate-General of Culture, Sports and Youth in Dhofar Governorate in collaboration with the Traffic Safety Institute, as part of a broader initiative to raise community awareness and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
The event brought together officials, medical professionals and social specialists to discuss practical strategies for improving road safety, especially among young people. It also aimed to reinforce cooperation between public institutions, security agencies and civil society organisations in addressing health and safety issues.
In his opening speech, Ali bin Mohammed Baqi, Director of the Department of Sports and Youth Activities, emphasised the importance of joint efforts between government and community institutions in delivering targeted awareness programmes. He stated that the directorate is committed to launching educational initiatives that reflect the concerns of young people and encourage responsible road behaviour.
Among the speakers was Major Shihab bin Ahmed al Shanfari, an officer at the Traffic Safety Institute in Dhofar, who presented a detailed overview of the institute’s work in educating drivers and promoting safe road practices. He highlighted that between 2023 and 2024, Oman recorded a nine-per cent decline in traffic accidents and injuries, alongside a two-per cent reduction in road fatalities. He attributed these improvements to the concerted efforts of the Royal Oman Police and national safety bodies.
Abdullah bin Ramadan Beit Majzoub, a social care expert at the Directorate-General of Social Development in Dhofar, focused on the safety of persons with disabilities in road environments. He stressed the importance of inclusive mobility planning and called for greater efforts to meet the specific needs of individuals with disabilities in both urban infrastructure and transport systems.
Basim, in his address, shed light on the role of the Emergency Department in managing traffic accident cases. He explained that the hospital had received 2,668 cases related to road accidents in the first six months of the year alone. He described the heavy toll these incidents take on medical teams and resources, and urged for a renewed commitment to prevention and public awareness.
The seminar concluded with a visual presentation showcasing road safety messages, followed by a musical performance with an educational theme. Organisers also held a recognition ceremony to honour the participating speakers and institutions for their contributions to promoting public health and traffic awareness.
With Dhofar preparing for an influx of visitors during the khareef season, officials are calling for greater vigilance on the roads and a unified national effort to strengthen road safety culture across the Sultanate of Oman.
More than 2,668 road accident victims were treated at Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah during the first half of 2025, according to senior medical staff. The high figure underscores the mounting pressure on emergency services in Dhofar and highlights the ongoing risks facing road users in the Sultanate of Oman.
The number was disclosed by Basim bin Jumaan al Maas, Senior Nurse in the hospital’s Emergency Department, during a road safety awareness seminar held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah.
The seminar was organised by the Directorate-General of Culture, Sports and Youth in Dhofar Governorate in collaboration with the Traffic Safety Institute, as part of a broader initiative to raise community awareness and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
The event brought together officials, medical professionals and social specialists to discuss practical strategies for improving road safety, especially among young people. It also aimed to reinforce cooperation between public institutions, security agencies and civil society organisations in addressing health and safety issues.
In his opening speech, Ali bin Mohammed Baqi, Director of the Department of Sports and Youth Activities, emphasised the importance of joint efforts between government and community institutions in delivering targeted awareness programmes. He stated that the directorate is committed to launching educational initiatives that reflect the concerns of young people and encourage responsible road behaviour.
Among the speakers was Major Shihab bin Ahmed al Shanfari, an officer at the Traffic Safety Institute in Dhofar, who presented a detailed overview of the institute’s work in educating drivers and promoting safe road practices. He highlighted that between 2023 and 2024, Oman recorded a nine-per cent decline in traffic accidents and injuries, alongside a two-per cent reduction in road fatalities. He attributed these improvements to the concerted efforts of the Royal Oman Police and national safety bodies.
Abdullah bin Ramadan Beit Majzoub, a social care expert at the Directorate-General of Social Development in Dhofar, focused on the safety of persons with disabilities in road environments. He stressed the importance of inclusive mobility planning and called for greater efforts to meet the specific needs of individuals with disabilities in both urban infrastructure and transport systems.
Basim, in his address, shed light on the role of the Emergency Department in managing traffic accident cases. He explained that the hospital had received 2,668 cases related to road accidents in the first six months of the year alone. He described the heavy toll these incidents take on medical teams and resources, and urged for a renewed commitment to prevention and public awareness.
The seminar concluded with a visual presentation showcasing road safety messages, followed by a musical performance with an educational theme. Organisers also held a recognition ceremony to honour the participating speakers and institutions for their contributions to promoting public health and traffic awareness.
With Dhofar preparing for an influx of visitors during the khareef season, officials are calling for greater vigilance on the roads and a unified national effort to strengthen road safety culture across the Sultanate of Oman.