Oman Engages in WHO Regional Committee Meetings in Cairo

Cairo: The Sultanate of Oman is currently taking part in the 72nd session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC72) in Cairo, Egypt. The event, which runs until 17 October, is being held under the theme 'Together for a Healthier Future: Action, Access, and Equity', bringing together health ministers, policymakers, and regional leaders to address shared public health challenges and align regional efforts for a healthier future. According to Oman News Agency, Oman is participating in the meetings with an official delegation headed by Dr. Ahmed Salim Al-Mandhari, Undersecretary of the Health Ministry for Health Planning and Regulation. During the opening session, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, presented the Regional Director's Annual Report for 2024-2025. Following the report, Dr. Al-Mandhari delivered Oman's statement, commending the report's focus on three flagship initiatives on access to medicines, investing in a sustaina ble health workforce, and accelerating public health action on substance abuse. He emphasized that Oman has made these priorities central to its national health strategy by strengthening pharmaceutical security, enhancing local manufacturing, and improving medicine supply chains in line with regional efforts for fair access to medical products. Dr. Al-Mandhari also highlighted Oman's strategic approach to developing the health workforce through national policies focused on capacity building, equitable distribution of healthcare professionals, and expanding medical and nursing education programs. Collaborative initiatives with regional countries in the fields of rare specialties and training have also been pursued. On mental health and substance abuse, he noted that Oman is integrating community-based mental healthcare into primary health services, alongside awareness and early prevention programs-aligning with the region's broader push to promote mental health and well-being. Oman's active involvement in ot her regional initiatives was also noted, particularly in noncommunicable disease prevention, climate change, and community empowerment. Notably, Al Buraimi recently became the fifth Omani city recognized by WHO as a Healthy City, reflecting the country's commitment to a Health in All Policies approach. At the conclusion of his remarks, Dr. Al-Mandhari reaffirmed Oman's full support for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office's Strategic Framework (2024-2028) and called for enhanced cooperation among member states to ensure comprehensive health security and sustainable development. As part of the opening day's highlights, Dr. Noor Badr Al Busaidi, Director of the National Diabetes and Endocrine Center at the Royal Hospital, was awarded the State of Kuwait Prize for Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Representing Oman, she was honored for her efforts in diabetes prevention and advancing specialized endocrine care. The award, presented by WHO, is part of its annua l recognition program honoring countries, institutions, and individuals making significant contributions to combating noncommunicable diseases in the region. This regional recognition is evidence of Oman's continued efforts in shaping effective health policies and implementing national programs to combat diabetes, aligning with Oman Vision 2040 to build a healthier and more prosperous society. Throughout the week, the meeting will present five technical papers on health system recovery in fragile and conflict-affected settings, palliative care solutions, strengthening national laboratory biosafety and biosecurity policies and frameworks, in addition to developing a regional climate and health action framework, and zero-dose children. A range of progress reports on priority health issues, and governance matters will also be reviewed. Participants will further be invited to endorse the Cairo Call to Action on Breast Cancer: advancing equity and innovation. Side events include the Fifth meeting of the High-lev el Ministerial Group on the Control of Tobacco and Emerging Tobacco and Nicotine Products in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.