9 April 2025  – The Sultanate of Oman welcomed World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy for a 1-day visit, on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, to reinforce collaboration to advance Health for All in Oman and the Region. The highlight of the visit was the launch of Oman’s National Health Policy (NHP), an updated framework aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040 that prioritizes sustainability, governance and cross-sector partnerships. Designed to be adaptable to emerging global health developments, the policy lays the foundation for a more efficient, equitable and resilient health system.

The launch ceremony, held under the patronage of H.E. Sayyid Dr Sultan bin Ya'arub Al Busaidi, Advisor in the Private Office, was attended by Minister of Health Dr Hilal Ali Al-Sabti, Dr Balkhy, high-ranking officials and representatives from Oman’s health sector and international organizations. Dr Balkhy emphasized how Oman’s NHP aligns with WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme 2025–2028, the Regional Strategic Operational Plan 2025–2028 and WHO’s regional flagship initiatives on access to medicines, health workforce development and substance use control. Dr Balkhy also used the occasion to reiterate that health and well-being are shared societal responsibilities.

Following the launch, the Minister of Health met with Dr Balkhy to discuss strengthening collaboration with WHO under the country cooperation strategy to meet shared health and development goals. Later, Undersecretary for Health Planning and Health Organization Dr Ahmed Salem Al-Mandhari welcomed Dr Balkhy and the WHO Oman team. Their discussions centred on the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach which is grounded in the principle of ‘Health for All, by All’ and highlights the collective, multisectoral provision of health services.

Key strategic priorities discussed during Dr Balkhy’s visit included HiAP, health system resilience, antimicrobial resistance control and multisectoral collaboration.