MUSCAT: The Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) is making confident strides toward achieving its vision of developing advanced medical education in the Sultanate of Oman and consolidating its position as a leading reference institution in preparing and qualifying national cadres.
By adopting innovative training methods and employing the latest simulation technologies, OMSB is keeping pace with rapid scientific developments in medicine while raising the standard of specialised healthcare training in line with international benchmarks.
The Board provides an advanced academic environment that meets the highest global standards, contributing to improved healthcare quality in Oman. It has also expanded its international cooperation with prestigious medical universities and hospitals worldwide through scholarships, joint training agreements and knowledge exchange programmes.
Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Yaarubi, Assistant CEO for International Cooperation at OMSB, told ONA that scholarship programmes form a vital pillar for the health sector in Oman. These programmes, he explained, allow doctors to train at some of the best institutions abroad, thereby enriching local healthcare services with modern technologies and practices upon their return.
According to Dr Al Yaarubi, the total number of specialised medical missions since the establishment of OMSB has reached more than 1,054 across 32 medical specialities. The Board has signed more than 85 international cooperation agreements, ensuring that Omani doctors benefit from cutting-edge skills and advanced training.
Currently, around 222 male and female doctors are continuing their training in renowned medical countries such as Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Singapore. Their training spans fellowships and speciality programmes, enabling Oman to benefit from a new generation of highly skilled specialists in rare and critical fields.
These efforts directly contribute to the development of the healthcare system in Oman, particularly through expansion projects in hospitals and health centres. Training in sub-specialities such as cardiac surgery, oncology, organ transplantation and stroke treatment supports the operation of advanced medical departments and ensures that specialised services reach more governorates.
The scholarship programme is also part of the ‘Homeland Path’ initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. It supports several strategic healthcare projects, including the Sultan Qaboos Integrated Cancer Care and Research Center and the establishment of stroke treatment units in Muscat, Suhar, Nizwa and Salalah.
Dr Al Yaarubi emphasised that these external missions embody the principle of decentralisation by distributing qualified medical cadres across different governorates, ensuring justice in the delivery of advanced health services and enhancing their efficiency. This approach aligns with the core objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
He also highlighted that Omani doctors abroad have represented Oman proudly on the global medical stage through active participation in international conferences and research initiatives. Many have received international awards and recognition for their outstanding achievements in training and research at leading institutions.
The Oman Medical Specialty Board remains committed to supporting these competencies through initiatives such as publicising their accomplishments via official platforms and engaging with the wider community through media coverage. By doing so, OMSB continues to underscore the importance of human capital development as a foundation for Oman’s sustainable health sector advancement. — ONA
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