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	<title>Oman Archives - DH Arab</title>
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	<link>https://dharab.com/cat_country/om/</link>
	<description>All about digital health in the Arab World</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:57:29 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Oman&#8217;s AI eye screening programme cuts waiting times by 87% and flags 12,000 diabetic patients</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/omans-ai-eye-screening-programme-cuts-waiting-times-by-87-and-flags-12000-diabetic-patients/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:57:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/omans-ai-eye-screening-programme-cuts-waiting-times-by-87-and-flags-12000-diabetic-patients/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A national retinopathy screening initiative is reshaping how Oman manages one of diabetes's most serious complications, with results that other GCC health systems will be watching closely</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/omans-ai-eye-screening-programme-cuts-waiting-times-by-87-and-flags-12000-diabetic-patients/">Oman&#8217;s AI eye screening programme cuts waiting times by 87% and flags 12,000 diabetic patients</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sixty-two days down to eight. That single figure tells you almost everything you need to know about what artificial intelligence has done for diabetic eye care in Oman. In less than a year, a national screening programme using AI to analyse retinal images has slashed appointment wait times for specialist eye clinics by 87%, while identifying more than 12,000 diabetic patients who need further clinical examination.</p>
<p>The initiative, formally titled the National Project for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Using Artificial Intelligence Technologies, is run under Oman&#8217;s Ministry of Health. Since its launch, more than 43,000 patients have been screened. Around 30% were flagged for specialist review, meaning thousands of people who might otherwise have waited months, or never been assessed at all, are now receiving earlier attention.</p>
<p>Anas bin Nasser Al Kimyani, Director of the National Virtual Health Centre at the Ministry of Health, said the programme had already contributed to improving the efficiency of healthcare services for diabetic patients across the sultanate. The numbers back that up. Screening time has dropped from roughly 90 minutes, when examinations required pupil-dilating eye drops, to around 15 minutes. That frees ophthalmologists to concentrate on complex cases, treatment, and surgery rather than routine image review.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>The system captures retinal images at health centres, then runs those images through an AI model trained to detect signs of diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina and, left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss. The AI flags cases that require a specialist&#8217;s attention and clears those that do not, reducing the volume of referrals that previously overwhelmed specialist clinics.</p>
<p>According to the Ministry of Health, the system has recorded diagnostic accuracy of 91.3% and sensitivity of 85%. Those are clinically meaningful figures. They indicate the tool is reliable enough to support medical staff in making triage decisions, though it is designed to assist rather than replace clinical judgment.</p>
<p>The programme is currently active at 25 health institutions across Oman&#8217;s governorates, with retinal imaging equipment distributed to improve geographic access. The highest usage has been recorded in Seeb, Bausher, Suhar, and Ibri. Expansion to more health centres, particularly in remote areas, is planned.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Around 15% of Oman&#8217;s adult population has diabetes. That is a significant chronic disease burden, and diabetic retinopathy is one of its most serious long-term consequences. Without routine screening, many patients do not know their vision is at risk until damage is already done. Early detection changes that equation entirely.</p>
<p>The programme also makes a strong economic case. The ministry reports that AI-based screening has reduced operating costs by 43.2% annually compared to previous procedures. That figure does not even account for the downstream savings from avoiding late-stage interventions, which are considerably more expensive than early treatment.</p>
<p>So this is not only a clinical story. It is a health system efficiency story, and the two are pulling in the same direction.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Oman is, according to the Ministry of Health, only the third country in the world to undertake this type of national AI retinopathy screening programme. That is a notable position for a GCC health system to occupy, and it reflects a broader regional push to integrate digital tools into primary and preventive care.</p>
<p>But the ambitions go further. The programme&#8217;s roadmap includes AI-assisted screening for glaucoma and keratoconus, expanded use of virtual medicine, and specialist follow-up clinics. Perhaps most interesting is the plan to develop a locally trained AI engine built on retinal images collected in Oman. A model trained on a local population dataset could improve diagnostic precision for Omani patients specifically, and it would give the sultanate genuine intellectual ownership of a clinical AI tool rather than reliance on externally developed systems.</p>
<p>For GCC policymakers watching Oman&#8217;s progress, the lesson is clear: AI in preventive care is not a future consideration. It is already delivering measurable results, and the window for early adoption is now.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/omans-ai-eye-screening-programme-cuts-waiting-times-by-87-and-flags-12000-diabetic-patients/">Oman&#8217;s AI eye screening programme cuts waiting times by 87% and flags 12,000 diabetic patients</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Aster opens second robotic rehabilitation center in Oman, this time in Sohar</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/aster-opens-second-robotic-rehabilitation-center-in-oman-this-time-in-sohar/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:34:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Robots]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/aster-opens-second-robotic-rehabilitation-center-in-oman-this-time-in-sohar/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The new facility brings AI-powered therapy for neurological conditions to northern Oman, following the success of the group's first center in Muscat</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/aster-opens-second-robotic-rehabilitation-center-in-oman-this-time-in-sohar/">Aster opens second robotic rehabilitation center in Oman, this time in Sohar</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Aster Al Raffah Hospitals and Clinics has opened its second robotic rehabilitation center in Oman, expanding a program that started in Muscat to now reach patients in Sohar. The facility is part of the group&#8217;s Walk Again Advanced Robotic Rehabilitation Centre initiative and is designed to treat complex neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.</p>
<p>The move reflects a broader push by Aster DM Healthcare, the parent company, to bring specialized care closer to patients rather than concentrating it in capital cities. Sohar is a major population and industrial hub in northern Oman, and healthcare demand there has been growing steadily.</p>
<p>Oman&#8217;s Ministry of Health has backed the expansion, with Undersecretary Dr. Ahmed bin Salim Al-Mandhari saying the initiative aligns with the country&#8217;s goal of &#8220;strengthening healthcare accessibility and integrating advanced medical technologies within the national system.&#8221;</p>
<h2>What&#8217;s the news?</h2>
<p>Aster Al Raffah has launched its second Walk Again Advanced Robotic Rehabilitation Centre in Oman, located in Sohar. The first center opened in Muscat and is described by the company as a flagship facility.</p>
<p>The Sohar center uses AI-powered robotic systems to deliver what the company calls precise, repetitive therapy. The technology is designed to support motor recovery by working with the brain&#8217;s ability to rewire itself, a process known as neuroplasticity. Clinicians can also track patient progress in real time to adjust treatment as it goes.</p>
<p>The center will treat a wide range of conditions, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury</li>
<li>Stroke-related impairments</li>
<li>Multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease</li>
<li>Cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy</li>
<li>Autism spectrum disorder</li>
<li>Movement disorders, including ataxia and dystonia</li>
<li>Alzheimer&#8217;s disease and dementia</li>
</ul>
<p>Beyond physical rehabilitation, the facility also covers neurology, spine care, sports medicine, and mental wellbeing, aiming to treat patients across multiple needs in one place.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Robotic rehabilitation is still relatively rare in the Gulf region. Most advanced facilities of this kind are concentrated in a handful of urban centers, which means patients in smaller cities often have to travel long distances for care or go without it entirely.</p>
<p>Opening a center in Sohar changes that calculation for people in northern Oman. Spinal cord injuries, strokes, and conditions like cerebral palsy require consistent, long-term therapy to show results. When patients have to travel hours for each session, they often drop out of treatment early. Local access makes it far more likely they&#8217;ll complete their rehabilitation.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s also a broader signal here. Aster expanding this program to a second city suggests the Muscat center has been performing well enough to justify replication. That matters because it gives other healthcare providers in the region a proof point that demand for this kind of specialized robotic care exists outside major capitals.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Aster DM Healthcare is one of the largest private healthcare groups operating across the Gulf and India. The Walk Again program sits within a wider trend of hospitals investing in robotic and AI-assisted therapy, a category that has grown quickly since the pandemic accelerated interest in technology-driven care.</p>
<p>Robotic rehabilitation systems, such as exoskeletons and motion-assisted platforms, have been in clinical use for over a decade in Europe and North America. Their adoption in the Middle East has been slower, partly because of cost and partly because of limited specialist staff trained to use them. The fact that Oman now has two such centers, and that the government is publicly endorsing the expansion, suggests that gap is closing.</p>
<p>Oman has been working to reduce dependence on medical referrals abroad, particularly for complex neurological cases. Investments like this one support that goal by keeping patients and their families in-country for treatment that previously may have required a trip to Europe or Southeast Asia.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/aster-opens-second-robotic-rehabilitation-center-in-oman-this-time-in-sohar/">Aster opens second robotic rehabilitation center in Oman, this time in Sohar</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Oman&#8217;s health insurance platform goes paperless with electronic prescriptions</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/omans-health-insurance-platform-goes-paperless-with-electronic-prescriptions/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:07:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Digitization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/omans-health-insurance-platform-goes-paperless-with-electronic-prescriptions/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Dhamani connects pharmacies to digital network, eliminating 98% of paper transactions in healthcare system</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/omans-health-insurance-platform-goes-paperless-with-electronic-prescriptions/">Oman&#8217;s health insurance platform goes paperless with electronic prescriptions</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oman has taken a major step toward digitizing its healthcare system. The country&#8217;s national health insurance platform, Dhamani, is now connecting pharmacies to its digital network. This means electronic prescriptions can flow securely between private hospitals, pharmacies and insurance companies.</p>
<p>The move is part of Dhamani&#8217;s Phase II expansion and creates the first fully integrated digital health insurance system in the Gulf region. It&#8217;s a significant shift for a region that has historically relied on paper-based medical transactions.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>The new system changes how prescriptions move through the healthcare chain:</p>
<ul>
<li>Doctors at healthcare facilities issue electronic prescriptions directly through the platform</li>
<li>Prescriptions are sent digitally to pharmacies &#8211; no paper needed</li>
<li>Patients can pick up medications faster at participating pharmacies</li>
<li>Insurance claims and approvals are processed electronically between all parties</li>
<li>Financial settlements happen through the digital platform</li>
</ul>
<p>The Financial Services Authority, which oversees Dhamani, says the system has already connected 271 pharmacies. That represents about 60% of the country&#8217;s pharmacy network.</p>
<p>The platform reduces reliance on paper-based procedures by 98%, according to official figures.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>This digitization addresses several pain points in traditional healthcare systems. Patients no longer need to carry paper prescriptions between doctors and pharmacies. Pharmacies can verify prescriptions instantly instead of calling healthcare providers. Insurance companies can process claims faster without manual paperwork.</p>
<p>The speed improvements are significant. Electronic prescription sharing cuts down waiting times at pharmacies and reduces administrative work for healthcare staff. It also creates a digital trail that makes it easier to track medication history and prevent prescription errors.</p>
<p>For Oman specifically, this positions the country as a digital healthcare leader in the Middle East. The Gulf region has been investing heavily in digital transformation, and healthcare digitization is seen as a key priority.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Electronic prescription systems are becoming standard in developed healthcare markets. Countries like Denmark, Estonia and parts of the US have been using similar systems for years. However, adoption in the Middle East has been slower.</p>
<p>Oman&#8217;s approach is notable because it integrates the entire healthcare payment chain &#8211; providers, pharmacies and insurers &#8211; into one platform. Many countries have implemented e-prescriptions but still rely on separate systems for insurance processing.</p>
<p>The timing also aligns with broader digital health trends accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare systems worldwide are prioritizing contactless transactions and digital record-keeping. Oman&#8217;s system addresses both needs while potentially serving as a model for other Gulf countries looking to modernize their healthcare infrastructure.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/omans-health-insurance-platform-goes-paperless-with-electronic-prescriptions/">Oman&#8217;s health insurance platform goes paperless with electronic prescriptions</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Oman shows off digital health card pilot from 2024 Hajj season at WHO meeting</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/oman-shows-off-digital-health-card-pilot-from-2024-hajj-season-at-who-meeting/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 04:52:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Launch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/oman-shows-off-digital-health-card-pilot-from-2024-hajj-season-at-who-meeting/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Over 250,000 pilgrims used secure digital health records during one of the world's largest mass mobility events</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/oman-shows-off-digital-health-card-pilot-from-2024-hajj-season-at-who-meeting/">Oman shows off digital health card pilot from 2024 Hajj season at WHO meeting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oman presented its Digital Hajj Health Card experience at a major World Health Organization event in Geneva, highlighting what officials call one of the world&#8217;s largest tests of digital health records during mass movement of people.</p>
<p>The country worked with Indonesia and Malaysia during the 2024 Hajj season to pilot the digital health cards. More than 250,000 pilgrims carried secure health records that traveled with them and helped healthcare providers deliver services. The pilot continued into 2025, bringing the total number of users to over half a million.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>The digital health card system builds on Oman&#8217;s existing health technology infrastructure:</p>
<ul>
<li>The &#8220;Al Shifa&#8221; system connects more than 85% of health institutions across Oman</li>
<li>A Health Command and Control Center manages services during large events and gatherings</li>
<li>National digital infrastructure supports the secure transfer of health data</li>
<li>Pilgrims can access their verified health records instantly when seeking medical care</li>
</ul>
<p>Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Oman&#8217;s Minister of Health, said the system enables &#8220;rapid and accurate medical care in the most critical moments&#8221; by giving healthcare providers immediate access to patient history and medical information.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>The Hajj pilot represents a major test case for portable digital health records during mass mobility events. Traditional paper-based systems often fail when millions of people travel internationally and need medical care in unfamiliar healthcare systems.</p>
<p>The success of the pilot has broader implications beyond religious pilgrimages:</p>
<ul>
<li>International travel could become easier with verified health records</li>
<li>Emergency medical care improves when doctors have instant access to patient history</li>
<li>Global health coordination gets stronger with standardized digital systems</li>
<li>Future pandemics might be managed better with interoperable health data</li>
</ul>
<p>Oman and the WHO are now exploring a &#8220;Global Digital Health Wallet&#8221; that would let people securely access vaccination certificates and medical summaries anywhere in the world through unified standards.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major weaknesses in cross-border health coordination. Countries struggled to verify vaccination status, share patient data, and coordinate responses because health systems operated in isolation with incompatible formats.</p>
<p>The Hajj provides a perfect testing ground for digital health solutions. Each year, over two million Muslims from around the world travel to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, creating massive logistical challenges for healthcare providers who must treat patients with no access to their medical history.</p>
<p>Oman&#8217;s pilot fits into the country&#8217;s Vision 2040 plan, which aims to build a health system supported by modern technology and connected globally. The government is pushing for rapid growth in health technology through 2030, with digital transformation as a key priority.</p>
<p>The WHO meeting in Geneva focused on moving from &#8220;fragmented and isolated health systems&#8221; to comprehensive digital wallets based on international standards. This would give patients trusted health records that work anywhere, and help doctors make better decisions regardless of location.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/oman-shows-off-digital-health-card-pilot-from-2024-hajj-season-at-who-meeting/">Oman shows off digital health card pilot from 2024 Hajj season at WHO meeting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Oman urges healthcare sector to boost cyber defenses amid rising attacks</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/oman-urges-healthcare-sector-to-boost-cyber-defenses-amid-rising-attacks/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 10:19:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Security]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/oman-urges-healthcare-sector-to-boost-cyber-defenses-amid-rising-attacks/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>New cybersecurity conference launches compliance award as healthcare becomes prime target for hackers</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/oman-urges-healthcare-sector-to-boost-cyber-defenses-amid-rising-attacks/">Oman urges healthcare sector to boost cyber defenses amid rising attacks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oman&#8217;s healthcare sector needs stronger cyber defenses to protect patient data and medical systems from increasing attacks. The country held its sixth annual cybersecurity conference in May, bringing together government officials and security experts to address the growing threat.</p>
<p>Healthcare has become one of the most targeted sectors globally. Data breaches in healthcare cost an average of $10 million per incident, making cybersecurity a critical concern as Oman digitizes its medical systems.</p>
<h2>What&#8217;s the news?</h2>
<p>The Oman Cybersecurity Conference focused specifically on healthcare security this year. Health Minister Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti sponsored the event, which was organized by Al Roya with the Electronic Defence Centre and Advanced Cybersecurity Academy.</p>
<p>The conference launched a new &#8216;Cybersecurity Compliance Award in the Healthcare Sector&#8217; to encourage medical institutions to adopt better security standards. Government officials, cybersecurity specialists, and healthcare leaders discussed strategies for improving the country&#8217;s digital defenses.</p>
<p>Key speakers included:</p>
<ul>
<li>Hatem bin Hamad al Taie, the conference Secretary-General</li>
<li>Eng Khamis bin Salem al Hajri, Head of the Electronic Defence Centre</li>
<li>Dr Ahmed bin Salim al Mandhari, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health</li>
</ul>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Healthcare systems are prime targets for cybercriminals because they hold valuable personal data and often have weaker security than other sectors. The attacks can disrupt critical medical services and put patient lives at risk.</p>
<p>The statistics are alarming:</p>
<ul>
<li>More than 70% of healthcare institutions worldwide experienced cyber incidents in a single year</li>
<li>Phishing attacks account for over 90% of cyber intrusions</li>
<li>Healthcare data breaches cost more than $10 million on average</li>
</ul>
<p>For Oman, the timing is critical. The country is rolling out major digital healthcare projects including the &#8216;Shifa&#8217; application and a national electronic health record system. These systems need strong security from the start.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Oman is in the middle of a major healthcare digital transformation. The Ministry of Health is implementing smart healthcare technologies and integrated digital platforms across the country&#8217;s medical system.</p>
<p>&#8220;Oman&#8217;s healthcare system is undergoing a major transformation driven by smart healthcare technologies,&#8221; said Dr al Mandhari. The ministry has a proactive cybersecurity strategy that includes policy development, infrastructure updates, and using artificial intelligence to predict cyber threats.</p>
<p>This focus on healthcare cybersecurity reflects a global trend. Hospitals and medical facilities worldwide have faced increasing attacks, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption in healthcare. Countries are realizing they need specialized security approaches for medical systems, not just general cybersecurity measures.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/oman-urges-healthcare-sector-to-boost-cyber-defenses-amid-rising-attacks/">Oman urges healthcare sector to boost cyber defenses amid rising attacks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Oman launches &#8216;Rased&#8217; digital platform to predict disease outbreaks</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/oman-launches-rased-digital-platform-to-predict-disease-outbreaks/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 09:50:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Launch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/oman-launches-rased-digital-platform-to-predict-disease-outbreaks/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>New smart surveillance system connects field workers with decision-makers to shift from reactive to proactive health responses</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/oman-launches-rased-digital-platform-to-predict-disease-outbreaks/">Oman launches &#8216;Rased&#8217; digital platform to predict disease outbreaks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oman&#8217;s Ministry of Health has launched a digital surveillance platform called &#8216;Rased&#8217; that aims to predict disease outbreaks before they happen. The system connects field health workers directly with decision-makers through real-time data analysis.</p>
<p>The launch took place Thursday in Muscat under the supervision of Dr Said bin Harib al Lamki, Undersecretary for Health Affairs. The platform is part of a broader National Strategy for Vector Surveillance that moves Oman away from traditional reactive health measures toward a proactive, science-based approach.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>The Rased platform operates as a smart national system that streamlines how health data gets collected and analyzed. Field personnel can input data directly into the system, which then processes epidemiological and environmental indicators in real-time.</p>
<p>The platform converts this data into immediate operational decisions that health officials can use to prevent disease outbreaks. Dr Zakariya Yahya Al Balushi, Director General of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, described digital transformation as &#8220;the foundation for a health system capable of predicting risks before they occur.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>This shift from reactive to predictive healthcare represents a major change in how countries can handle public health threats. Instead of waiting for diseases to spread and then responding, health systems can now identify potential outbreaks early and take preventive action.</p>
<p>The timing is particularly relevant as countries worldwide reassess their pandemic preparedness following COVID-19. Early detection and rapid response systems have become priorities for health systems globally, making Oman&#8217;s approach part of a broader international trend toward predictive health surveillance.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>The Rased platform aligns with Oman Vision 2040, the country&#8217;s long-term development strategy that emphasizes modernizing public services through technology. The initiative shows how Middle Eastern countries are investing in digital health infrastructure to improve their health security systems.</p>
<p>Vector surveillance &#8211; monitoring disease-carrying organisms like mosquitoes and ticks &#8211; has become increasingly important as climate change affects disease patterns. Digital platforms like Rased allow countries to track these changes more effectively and respond faster to emerging health threats.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/oman-launches-rased-digital-platform-to-predict-disease-outbreaks/">Oman launches &#8216;Rased&#8217; digital platform to predict disease outbreaks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Nursel</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/dbentry/nursel/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:48:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Company]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/?post_type=dbentry&#038;p=8953</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Nursel is a digital health platform that strengthens the healthcare workforce by connecting hospitals and clinics with qualified nurses and allied health professionals. The platform focuses on ethical recruitment and workforce readiness, helping healthcare providers find verified clinical staff while ensuring transparency and fair opportunities for professionals. It offers a structured environment where healthcare workers ...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/dbentry/nursel/">Nursel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nursel is a digital health platform that strengthens the healthcare workforce by connecting hospitals and clinics with qualified nurses and allied health professionals. The platform focuses on ethical recruitment and workforce readiness, helping healthcare providers find verified clinical staff while ensuring transparency and fair opportunities for professionals. It offers a structured environment where healthcare workers can explore career opportunities, schedule interviews, and build professional networks across the MENA region. Nursel also supports professional growth through continuing education programs and community engagement for clinicians. The company places strong emphasis on patient safety, compliance, and workforce development, aiming to improve staffing quality across healthcare institutions. By combining recruitment tools, career management features, and a professional community, the platform helps address regional shortages of skilled healthcare staff. Its broader mission is to build stronger healthcare teams and improve care delivery through trusted workforce solutions.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/dbentry/nursel/">Nursel</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Royal Hospital in Oman executes the region&#8217;s first remote robotic urology surgery</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/royal-hospital-in-oman-executes-the-regions-first-remote-robotic-urology-surgery/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:40:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surgery]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/?p=8330</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The robotic system allowed surgical teams in both Muscat and Kuwait to execute the minimally invasive procedure with remarkable precision and high safety metrics</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/royal-hospital-in-oman-executes-the-regions-first-remote-robotic-urology-surgery/">Royal Hospital in Oman executes the region&#8217;s first remote robotic urology surgery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oman has pulled off a quiet marvel in digital medicine. The Royal Hospital carried out the region&#8217;s first remote robotic urology surgery, teaming up with the Sabah Al Ahmad Centre in Kuwait. It was a moment that felt both bold and inevitable, like the future finally knocking on the operating room door.</p>
<p>As one senior leader put it, the milestone reflects a national push to &#8220;embrace advanced technology and bolster national capacities&#8221; in complex care.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>At the heart of the operation was the Toumai robotic surgical system, a tool that turns distance into a technicality.</p>
<p>Here is what happened behind the scenes in simple terms:</p>
<ul>
<li>Surgeons in Muscat and their counterparts in Kuwait shared a single virtual surgical field</li>
<li>The robotic system translated their movements in real time with pinpoint accuracy</li>
<li>The procedure remained minimally invasive while preserving high safety levels</li>
<li>The patient benefited from reduced trauma and a faster recovery time</li>
</ul>
<p>The collaborative setup meant no one worked in isolation. The machines acted like an ultra-steady pair of hands, while the surgeons guided every motion with clinical mastery.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>This was more than a neat technical trick. It showed what the region can do when ambition meets preparation.</p>
<ul>
<li>Remote surgery opens doors for patients who live far from specialist centers</li>
<li>It trims down travel, cost, and delays that often keep people from getting timely care</li>
<li>It proves that digital health can be safe, reliable, and even routine when done right</li>
</ul>
<p>The Royal Hospital sees it as a turning point. In their words, the successful remote operation stands as &#8220;a distinguished model of Gulf health integration&#8221; and signals the readiness of health systems to adopt global advances. In other words, it is a sign that innovation is no longer a nice-to-have but a must-have.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>The accomplishment sits squarely within Oman Vision 2040, which encourages the use of modern tools to strengthen national expertise. It also reflects a warm collaborative spirit between Oman and Kuwait at a time when regional health systems are racing to modernise.</p>
<p>The Royal Hospital plans to expand the use of remote surgery, allowing specialists in Muscat to operate on patients in distant governorates without requiring anyone to travel by car or plane. Training programs are already underway to ensure that medical and technical teams can operate these robotic systems with confidence.</p>
<p>The message is clear. The Gulf is not watching the future of medicine unfold from the sidelines. It is taking part in shaping it, one remote operation at a time.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/royal-hospital-in-oman-executes-the-regions-first-remote-robotic-urology-surgery/">Royal Hospital in Oman executes the region&#8217;s first remote robotic urology surgery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>From Clinics to Homes: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Care in Oman by 2050</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/from-clinics-to-homes-practical-steps-for-low-carbon-care-in-oman-by-2050/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:36:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/?p=8019</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>At-home care technologies can serve Oman as a pragmatic and affordable way to push the health system toward sustainability under the national net-zero target for 2050...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/from-clinics-to-homes-practical-steps-for-low-carbon-care-in-oman-by-2050/">From Clinics to Homes: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Care in Oman by 2050</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At-home care technologies can serve Oman as a pragmatic and affordable way to push the health system toward sustainability under the <a href="https://www.mawridoman.com/en/resources/blog/net-zero-pathway-to-net-zero-by-2050" target="_blank" rel="noopener">national net-zero target for 2050</a>.</p>
<p>This article takes a technical perspective and outlines an Oman-centric blueprint for an at-home care platform that combines telemedicine and remote patient monitoring (RPM). It shows sustainability gains such a platform can unlock, as well as how it fits Oman’s health system by using systems already in service nationwide and engaging multiple Oman healthcare stakeholders.</p>
<h2>How Would It Work in Oman?</h2>
<p>The design was shaped by solution architects at <a href="https://www.scnsoft.com/healthcare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ScienceSoft</a>, a healthcare IT consultancy, drawing on their experience with private and government health institutions across the Gulf. The proposed platform covers remote consultations, continuous monitoring of chronic disease patients, hospital-at-home episodes for clinically stable patients, and prevention programs. It can be run as a pilot at a single clinic and grow to a governorate network without rewrites because it stands on Oman’s national rails, which are already in service.</p>
<p>Below is the software stack that makes up the core of the platform.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Telemedicine services: </strong>High-quality video appointments and secure messaging with visit notes and care plan tracking reduce the number of in-person visits. For public providers, the service can rely on the existing Shifa Virtual Clinic, so scheduling, consultation, and documentation follow patterns clinicians already use.</li>
<li><strong>RPM services: </strong>Home devices (e.g., blood-pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, or glucometers) collect and send vitals through a mobile app or a compact gateway, with validation at the edge to filter noise, safe buffering when connectivity drops, and automatic synchronization to keep a continuous clinical timeline.</li>
<li><strong>Clinical workspace: </strong>A role-based web console allows nurses and physicians to review RPM data, start patient outreach, and arrange follow-ups, with cohort-specific dashboards that surface rule-based RPM alerts. An AI agent can be added for reminders and short symptom checks with patients: it will take over the majority of routine conversations but transfer patients to a nurse whenever uncertainty appears.</li>
<li><strong>Integration layer</strong>: Encounter summaries and structured observations are sent from the telemedicine and RPM apps to Al Shifa or other EHRs. The integration layer also retrieves medication, allergy, and recent lab records and presents them in the clinician workspace to prevent duplicate orders and tests. Episodes are translated into claim and utilization events and sent to Dhamani, so payers receive context for reimbursement and audit.</li>
<li><strong>Patient application: </strong>An Arabic-first app is the primary patient access point for appointment scheduling, reminders, education, and consent collection, with clear prompts and fast access to help. Public providers can route patients through the Shifa app so all touchpoints remain in one place.</li>
<li><strong>Security and privacy: </strong>Explicit consent capture, role-based access, encryption at rest and in transit, and audit trails apply across telemedicine sessions and data flows and updates, aligned with <a href="https://opendata.gov.om/en/community/decrees/bb13c808-2767-4085-b669-b8783e04de2e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oman’s PDPL Law 6 of 2022</a> and <a href="https://opendata.gov.om/en/community/news/3b3cbc1e-1e57-4b98-91f7-3def8f34f158" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2024 Executive Regulations</a> and hosted under <a href="https://www.ita.gov.om/itaportal/Data/SiteImgGallery/20241317542819/Cloud%20First%20Policy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTCIT Cloud First</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Implementation scenarios for early success</h3>
<p>Below are three possible implementation patterns that return value early as they map to Oman’s pressure points: a rising load of non-communicable diseases (NCD), pressure on hospital capacity, and gaps in care access for patients outside Muscat.</p>
<h4>1. NCD follow-ups</h4>
<p>The proposed solution shifts routine patient monitoring to their homes, where RPM devices, such as blood pressure monitors or glucometers, collect and transmit vitals to the doctors at the clinic. Both patients and physicians can initiate short teleconsultations when RPM readings rise or fall beyond the agreed threshold, which reduces NCD deterioration between visits and cuts preventable admissions.</p>
<p>As an example, this RPM+telehealth solution can be implemented by private providers who want to strengthen patient retention, with the support of insurers seeking fewer high-cost NCD acute episodes. Pharmacies and labs can handle device kit hand-off and gain additional traffic. Employers can also be engaged, as they value fewer workdays lost, so insurers can recommend providers that demonstrate stronger chronic care outcomes.</p>
<h4>2. Post-discharge check-ins</h4>
<p>This schema supports a check-in period after discharge, where patients use home devices and short symptom prompts while a nurse hub reviews RPM alerts and triggers teleconsultations when needed. This steadies recovery, reduces emergency readmissions, and protects hospital capacity.</p>
<p>Public hospitals may be interested in this model as they face pressure from limited staff and bed capacity. To extend care into patients’ homes, they can partner with home health providers, which benefit by adding billable services.</p>
<h4>3. Rural primary health care(PHC) outreach</h4>
<p>The scheme extends primary care to remote communities through a simple hybrid flow. A virtual consultation starts at the local PHC or a trusted community point; nearby pharmacies or labs capture vitals and issue RPM device kits from a shared pool, and a central nurse hub screens RPM data against predefined thresholds and prompts a clinician review.</p>
<p>This way, public PHC lifts the completion of follow-ups per clinician hour, central hospitals face fewer late escalations from remote areas, and home health deploys field staff where need is objective and travel is justified. Private providers can also engage in the program to add reimbursable touchpoints in underserved towns without opening new sites.</p>
<h2>Why Does It Matter?</h2>
<p>Oman has committed to reaching <a href="https://www.mawridoman.com/en/resources/blog/net-zero-pathway-to-net-zero-by-2050">net-zero emissions by 2050</a>, which sets a clear expectation for measurable cuts across health services. The health sector’s footprint is significant at about 4.4% of global net emissions according to the <a href="https://global.noharm.org/resources/health-care-climate-footprint-report">“Health Care Without Harm” report</a>, the most comprehensive international assessment to date, which places health care on par with the world’s fifth-largest emitter when treated as a single economy. One proven lever is to shift suitable activity from facilities to homes with at-home care technologies to trim the emissions tied to travel and non-essential in-person encounters, as underscored by the <a href="https://www.uncclearn.org/wp-content/uploads/library/9789240081888-eng.pdf">WHO’s operational framework for low-carbon health systems</a>.</p>
<p>A <a href="https://bmjgroup.com/virtual-ward-bed-uses-4-times-less-carbon-than-traditional-inpatient-bed/">2025 BMJ Innovations analysis</a> shows what this shift can deliver value at scale. Researchers compared inpatient treatment with home-based virtual care for more than 1,200 patients across an acute hospital trust. They found that an inpatient bed day produced 37.9 kilograms of CO₂, while a home-monitored day produced only 8.8 kilograms (around a 76% reduction) with clinical outcomes maintained and more than 280 tons of CO₂ avoided in one year.</p>
<h2>The Context</h2>
<p>Oman already has the digital rails that make at-home care systems feasible:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>National EHR Al Shifa</strong>: Tele-visit notes and remote-monitoring summaries can be recorded in the existing patient chart. Clinicians adjust treatment using home data inside the system they already trust. No parallel records.</li>
<li><strong>Shifa Virtual Clinic and Shifa app</strong>: Remote consultations and follow-ups can use an approved channel with familiar scheduling and documentation, so teams extend current workflows instead of learning a new platform, and patients stay inside a familiar app.</li>
<li><strong>National insurance exchange Dhamani</strong>: Remote encounters and monitoring episodes can map to standard claim and utilization events. Providers are reimbursed, and payers can track outcomes without bespoke agreements.</li>
<li><strong>National ID</strong>: Identity checks work the same way in the app, at pharmacy pickup, and at the start of a tele-visit. Enrollment into an at-home monitoring program is quick and reliable.</li>
</ul>
<p>With these elements already in service, Oman can expand care into homes in a realistic way that advances the country’s low-carbon commitment, as well as supports <a href="https://www.spf.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/OmanVision2040Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vision 2040 goals</a> for technology-enabled, decentralized, high-quality healthcare.</p>
<p><em>Analyzed by Hadeel Abu Baker, Senior Healthcare IT Consultant at ScienceSoft</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/from-clinics-to-homes-practical-steps-for-low-carbon-care-in-oman-by-2050/">From Clinics to Homes: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Care in Oman by 2050</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>TeleStroke Oman aims to rewrite the playbook for stroke care</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/telestroke-oman-aims-to-rewrite-the-playbook-for-stroke-care/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:41:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Telehealth]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/?p=7975</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The initiative connects remote hospitals with neurologists in Muscat in real time, giving patients a fighting chance at treatment within the crucial window</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/telestroke-oman-aims-to-rewrite-the-playbook-for-stroke-care/">TeleStroke Oman aims to rewrite the playbook for stroke care</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oman has launched TeleStroke Oman, a telemedicine project that could rewrite the playbook for stroke care. The initiative connects remote hospitals with neurologists in Muscat in real time, giving patients a fighting chance at treatment within the crucial window.</p>
<p>&#8220;This reflects our shared vision for a modern, resilient health system,&#8221; said H E Dr Ahmed al Mandhari, the Under-Secretary of Health &#8212; and it&#8217;s not just talk; this is a leap forward for patients who used to lose precious hours just getting to the right hospital.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>At its core, TeleStroke Oman is a high-tech bridge connecting rural hospitals to central stroke hubs. When someone shows up with stroke symptoms in Ibra, Ibri, Buraimi, Haima, or Khasab, doctors no longer have to work in isolation. They can instantly connect to neurologists at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital or Khoula Hospital via a secure, high-definition video link.</p>
<p>The process is tight and standardized. The remote physician conducts an assessment using tools such as the NIH Stroke Scale. CT and angiogram images are shared in real-time, allowing the neurologist to rule out bleeding, review the case, and provide clearance for thrombolysis if appropriate. If the case requires a mechanical thrombectomy, the patient can be quickly routed to a center that performs the procedure.</p>
<p>The entire system runs on an app built locally in Oman &#8212; a platform designed for video consultations, image sharing, documentation, and future scalability. Hospitals have trained their staff for two months to ensure smooth implementation. And in case technology misbehaves, backup internet and redundant systems are already in place.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Because in stroke care, every minute counts &#8212; literally. Miss the 4.5-hour golden window, and the chance of reversing brain damage plummets. Before TeleStroke, patients from rural areas often spent hours in ambulances en route to Muscat, Sohar, Nizwa, or Salalah, missing that critical window entirely.</p>
<p>As Prof. Abdullah al Asmi put it, TeleStroke &#8220;is a method of using limited resources efficiently&#8230; to reduce patient suffering and disability.&#8221;</p>
<p>Faster decisions mean fewer needless transfers, better use of specialists, and most importantly, more patients walking out of the hospital without lifelong disabilities.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>This isn&#8217;t happening in a vacuum. A 12-year Stroke Registry at Sultan Qaboos University logged about 1,400 patients and found something striking: strokes in Oman happen almost a decade earlier than in Western countries &#8212; at an average age of 63 instead of 74. The leading culprit is atherosclerosis, which often responds to clot-busting therapy when administered promptly.</p>
<p>TeleStroke Oman is part of a larger national shift toward virtual care, endorsed by the country&#8217;s health leadership. The first phase covers five hospitals, but plans are in place to expand coverage, integrate ambulance services into the system, and implement continuous education programs for medical teams. Stable internet connectivity across hospitals has finally made this vision realistic.</p>
<p>In short, Oman is betting that geography should no longer decide who gets a chance at recovery. TeleStroke is more than a pilot &#8212; it&#8217;s a national experiment in saving lives faster, smarter, and closer to home.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/telestroke-oman-aims-to-rewrite-the-playbook-for-stroke-care/">TeleStroke Oman aims to rewrite the playbook for stroke care</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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