Muscat: In a remarkable community initiative, the Executive Office of Healthy Masirah Island recently launched a pioneering programme titled “Child-Friendly Home and Community” as part of national efforts to promote child health and strengthen local environments.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Directorate-General of Health Services in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate — represented by the Department of Health Education and Community Health Initiatives, the Integrated Child Care Programme for under-fives, and the Administrative Services Office in the wilayat.
Spanning two days, the programme featured a range of awareness and training activities focused on children’s health and education. Highlights included a sign language workshop for children, a health lecture titled “Smart Breakfast”, and interactive sessions on integrated child healthcare, reflecting the local community’s strong commitment to early childhood well-being.
A community workshop was hosted at the Masirah Sports and Cultural Club, under the auspices of Shaikh Abdulhamid bin Ali al Abri, Deputy Wali of Masirah. The event brought together community leaders, government officials, members of the Omani Women’s Association, kindergarten representatives and members of the wilayat’s health committees.
It served as a platform for discussing national and international laws on children’s rights and introduced the standards of the “Child-Friendly Home and Community” programme in a way that respects Omani social and cultural contexts.
Adel bin Khadim al Zarai, Head of Administrative Services and General Coordinator of Healthy Masirah Island, emphasised Oman’s deep commitment to child welfare through the development of quality programmes that promote healthy growth and development.
“The initiative is part of the Ministry of Health’s ‘Healthy Cities and Villages’ initiative and relies heavily on volunteerism and broad community participation,” he said, adding that the programme empowers families to apply child-friendly home standards and monitor progress in meeting children’s health, social and psychological needs.
The Child-Friendly Home Programme aims to create a safe and healthy home environment that supports a child’s growth and development, while the Child-Friendly Community component focuses on building a comprehensive social and environmental system within neighbourhoods that promotes children’s rights, learning and participation.
This initiative marks a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Masirah, laying the foundation for a future of secure and healthy childhoods in line with Oman Vision 2040, which places human well-being at the heart of national development.
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