Friday 27 / December / 2024
Muscat: In a high-profile ceremony, the Sultanate of Oman will receive on Wednesday the World Health Organization (WHO)’s certification for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in the East Mediterranean Region (EMR).
The ceremony will be held under the auspices of Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health.
Oman has thus met the goals of the global health strategy (2022-2030) aimed at eradicating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2025 in 50 countries, and achieving the same goal in 100 countries by 2030.
Oman’s accomplishment was the outcome of many factors, among them the country’s enlightened leadership committed to achieving and sustaining the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
This is in addition to the merging of primary health care institutions that provide care to mother and child in all the governorates across Oman, the establishment of a high-quality network laboratories and the existence of advanced HIV-treatment systems.
Other factors behind this tremendous milestone also include the presence of a streamlined electronic system in all government and private health establishments, multi-sectoral cooperation and the formation of a national committee and technical working groups.
Oman’s accomplishment will motivate other countries in the GCC and the region to follow suit.
The Ministry of Health said that the Sultanate of Oman obtained the international recognition certificate for eliminating the transmission of AIDS and syphilis from mother to child as a result of efforts made for many years by the Ministry of Health and various health sectors.
Dr. Ziana Al Habsi confirm: "After this achievement, the Sultanate of Oman has become a role model for the rest of the countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region and globally, and there are countries that continue to know the Sultanate of Oman's model in eliminating the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child."
The Director of the Women and Child Health Department at the Ministry of Health added that the Sultanate of Oman's obtaining the international recognition certificate from WHO to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child enhances its presence in international forums.
On the reasons for achieving this achievement, the ministry explained that one of the most important reasons is the presence of institutions and leaders with the aim of eliminating the disease, medical expertise and high-quality facilities, electronic systems that gather institutions and link their results, and integrated cooperation between the public and private sectors, which proves the Sultanate’s commitment to a public health policy with a flexible health system Excellent access to high quality maternal and child care services, infectious disease surveillance and surveillance systems and community engagement.
