Oman reaffirms commitment in fight against malaria

MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, alongside other world countries, marked World Malaria Day which falls on April 25 each year, under the theme ‘Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must’.
This underscores the importance of concerted efforts to combat malaria, raise awareness of prevention methods as well as support health programmes aimed at eradicating it and protecting lives.
The Ministry of Health in Oman continues its advanced and integrated efforts to combat malaria, in alignment with the goals and strategies of the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly the Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030, which focuses on eliminating disease transmission, reducing mortality, and strengthening surveillance and response systems.
Health data indicates that Oman is currently in the final stages of fulfilling the requirements for malaria eradication certification according to the World Health Organization.
The Sultanate of Oman succeeded in halting local malaria transmission in 2015, a significant health achievement that reflects the effectiveness of the health system and its ability to control the disease, as no local cases have been recorded since then.
The Ministry of Health is implementing an updated national strategy known as ‘National Strategy for Preventing the Re-emergence of Malaria Transmission’.
The strategy focuses on enhancing epidemiological surveillance, classifying cases, and tracing the source of infection.
It also focuses on early detection and immediate, effective treatment to break the chain of transmission, providing free treatment to all nationalities. In addition, it enhances preparedness and rapid response to outbreaks and continues vector control through continuous entomological surveillance.
Statistics indicate that all cases recorded in Oman are imported, with 380 imported cases in 2024 and 261 in 2025. Most of these cases originate from countries where the disease is endemic. They are managed according to precise national protocols that ensure early diagnosis, immediate treatment, and the prevention of any potential local transmission.
The Ministry of Health also implements a range of preventative programmes, including strengthening surveillance and early detection systems, providing immediate treatment according to the approved national protocol, and making medication available free of charge to all cases.
Additionally, it provides preventative medication to travellers to endemic countries, along with programmes to control disease vectors and reduce mosquito breeding sites.
Oman adopts updated treatment protocols that are consistent with WHO’s guidelines and are regularly updated to ensure the highest levels of effectiveness in diagnosis, treatment, and disease control.
The Ministry of Health emphasises that maintaining the achievement of eliminating local transmission of the disease requires community awareness, as the possibility of its resurgence remains due to the presence of the disease vectors and the causative parasite. This underscores the importance of community adherence to preventive measures and support for disease control efforts.
The MoH called on members of the community to facilitate the work of vector control teams, eliminate stagnant water bodies, swamps, and waste, and regularly empty agricultural basins. It also advised using preventive measures inside homes, such as wire mesh screens and household pesticides when necessary.
The Ministry of Health stressed the importance of screening expatriate workers if they develop any symptoms or upon arrival at ports. It also emphasised the necessity of consulting health institutions before travelling to malaria-endemic countries to obtain guidance and preventive medication, and upon return if symptoms appear. The ministry stressed that maintaining Oman’s malaria-free status is a shared responsibility that requires concerted community and institutional efforts. — ONA