Oman ensures universal access to health

NEW YORK: The Sultanate of Oman, in cooperation with a number of international partners, hosted a high-level side event titled 'One Vision.. One Future: Mobilising Global Action Against Non-Communicable Diseases for Future Generations'.
The event was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
The event commenced with an opening speech by Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Mona bint Fahd al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation at SQU and Chairperson of the National Committee for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). She stated, 'Like many countries around the world, the Sultanate of Oman bears the burden of NCDs. These silent diseases, despite their devastating severity, claim lives, limit individual potential and place strain on the fundamental fabric of our societies.'
She indicated that Oman is fully aware of this challenge and is working with determination and resolve to confront it. “These efforts are based on the firm conviction that prevention – rooted in the environments we shape, the food we consume, the air we breathe, and choices influenced by systems beyond the health sector – is both a moral responsibility and an economic necessity, yielding significant benefits for our people and the future of our coming generations,” she said.
She added, 'We recognise that prevention must be complemented by treatment and care, which remain the permanent fortress for individuals, families and communities already affected. Oman has worked to strengthen its health system to ensure equity and universal access to health services. Across the country, over 200 primary healthcare facilities provide services, equipped with essential medicines, diagnostic tools and qualified healthcare providers.' She noted that specialised services meet the needs of people living with chronic conditions, early detection programmes help identify diseases in their initial stages, while community-based initiatives deliver health services directly to patients, enabling them to live longer, healthier and more prosperous lives.
Dr Ahmed bin Salim al Mandhari, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning and Health Regulation, gave a presentation on 'Primary Care: The Foundation of the Health Transformation Journey'. Dr Asmus Hammerich, Director of NCDs and Mental Health at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, addressed 'Best Buy Strategies for NCD Control'. Meanwhile, Volkan Cetinkaya, Senior Health Economist at the World Bank, presented 'Health Taxes: Improving Health and Generating Tax Revenue'. Sanne Frost Helt, Senior Director of Policy, Programmes and Partnerships at the International Diabetes Foundation, showcased 'Multilateral Partnerships to Enhance the NCD Response', drawing on global studies and experiences.
The event also featured a high-level panel discussion on 'Leadership and Accountability: From Commitments to Effective Impact – Moving Forward to Strengthen Universal Health Coverage for NCDs and Political Will', with participation from sponsoring countries alongside prominent international figures. These included Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean; Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary of Health of the Republic of the Philippines; Dr Kweku Mintah Akandoh, Ghanaian Minister of Health; MP Christopher Kalila, Member of the Zambian Parliament and President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; and Alison Cox, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the NCD Alliance. - ONA