In a recent workshop hosted by the Family Planning Atlas Project, a collaboration between the Directorate General of Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health in Oman and the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF), it was revealed that family planning initiatives in the country have achieved significant success over the past three decades. These initiatives have played an important role in reducing the average number of children per family from ten to three.
The workshop at City Seasons Hotel on Wednesday aimed to share and discuss the latest data related to family planning programmes, highlight the Ministry of Health's efforts in this area and explore the strategies to further support the government's family planning goals. It also provided an overview of the Family Planning Atlas by the European Parliamentary Forum team.
Fatma al Hinai, Head of the Women's Health Section at the Ministry of Health, in her comments to the Observer, attributed this achievement to the continuous efforts of the ministry, which has been actively involved in educating and raising awareness among the Omani society.
"The average number of children in Omani families today is just 3, a significant reduction from the 1980s when family planning initiatives were in their infancy. This decrease in the fertility rate has been achieved relatively quickly due to a combination of factors, including religious beliefs, individual choices, reduced support from extended family members, and the transition to smaller nuclear families," she said.
Oman has been celebrating October as the Family Planning Campaign Month since 1994. The programme has consistently focused on education and counselling, in addition to providing essential materials to women attending the programme.
The event was attended by Dr Badriya bint Mohsin al Rashdiyah, Director General of Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health, along with senior officials from the Ministry, a senior EPF delegation, and the Organon Country Lead and team.
Razan Gharaibeh, Country Lead for Oman and the UAE at Organon emphasised the importance of improving women's health in Oman and beyond. She stated, "Women are the cornerstone for establishing a healthier world, and we believe that enabling them to access the knowledge and resources required to improve their reproductive health not only benefits communities but also contributes to their strengthening and prosperity." The forum acknowledged the Omani government's unwavering commitment to promoting women's health, particularly in family planning. High-level participants pledged to support the Ministry of Health's efforts and explore opportunities for cooperation to empower women, enhance their reproductive health, and contribute to the well-being of families.
Jameela al Abri, Personal Health Consultant and Director at the Department of Women and Child Health at the Ministry of Health expressed the vision of providing a better and healthier life for every woman, ultimately benefiting communities regionally and globally.
During the panel discussion, participants emphasised the findings of the Family Planning Atlas, which offers essential information on the status of family planning programmes in Oman. They stressed the importance of collaboration to collect more data that will aid in developing and enhancing future family planning efforts in the country.
Marina Davidashvili, Head of Policy and Research at the European Parliamentary Forum on Reproductive Health, expressed their commitment to supporting family planning programmes in Oman and looked forward to working closely with the Ministry of Health to further understand the situation and make informed decisions.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
