Recently the WHO Representative for Oman met with a consultant from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a researcher from Sultan Qaboos University to discuss a collaborative project which aims to develop molecular techniques for the diagnosis of low level infection not detected by routine malaria screening. Low level of infection is an issue of particular concern for countries, such as Oman, that are at the malaria elimination stage.
This project is being conducted jointly by the Department of Bio Chemistry, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University and the malaria programme of the Ministry of Health. It provides an opportunity to strengthen malaria diagnostics in Oman as well as train people in Oman on sophisticated molecular diagnostic techniques.