Muscat: Maternal mortality in Oman has fallen by 53 per cent, down from 17 cases in 2019 to eight in 2025, which reflects a significant milestone in the Sultanate of Oman’s healthcare performance.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) revealed the figures during a media briefing in Muscat, where it reviewed key health indicators for 2025, ongoing and future projects, and the strategic direction of the healthcare sector.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs said the decline in maternal mortality underscores advancements in the quality of maternal healthcare, strengthened follow-up systems and enhanced preventive programmes.
He also highlighted a notable reduction in patient waiting lists over the past year following expansions in several governorates, with some specialties recording improvements exceeding 50 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Undersecretary for Administrative and Financial Affairs stated that the ministry’s budget for the current year stands at approximately RO 1 billion, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to developing the healthcare sector and expanding universal coverage. The allocation supports expansion and development projects across the governorates.
He added that more than 20 future projects are planned to widen access to healthcare services, including the establishment of new health facilities, expansion of referral hospitals and the creation of national specialised centres.
The Minister of Health affirmed that efforts are continuing to reduce waiting lists through the expansion of the day-surgery programme, alongside reinforcing specialised surgical procedures at the Royal Hospital and Khoula Hospital.
He stressed the importance of decentralisation and integration in healthcare delivery, emphasising the empowerment of institutions in the governorates to provide specialised care in line with unified standards of quality and efficiency.
Chairman of the Oman Medical Specialty Board and Chairperson of the Healthcare Sector Operations Governance Committee, said employment-linked training initiatives have been activated in partnership with governorates and the private sector. The approach aligns education with direct employment based on data-driven needs, supporting the Omanisation of healthcare professions within the private sector.
The ministry reiterated that its strategic direction focuses on improving health outcomes, expanding infrastructure and strengthening workforce development to meet growing healthcare demands nationwide.
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