Wednesday 19 / February / 2025
Muscat: The Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with the World Health Organization, officially launched today the National Survey for Non-Communicable Diseases and the preparations for the second phase, as well as the training program for staff involved in the National Health Survey for the second phase at the Mercure Hotel in Muscat.
The launching ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyida Dr. Mona Fahd Al Said, Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University and Chair of the National Committee for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases.
Dr. Ahmed Salem Al Mandhari, MOH Undersecretary for Planning and Health Regulation delivered a speech in which he pointed out that the National Health Survey aims to collect accurate data on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and the associated risk factors in the community, contributing to the enhancement of public health strategies and evidence-based decision-making.
The MOH Undersecretary for Planning and Health Regulation added that non-communicable diseases are among the greatest challenges facing public health.
He said: “In Oman, these diseases contribute to 80% of deaths and cost around RO 1 billion annually, representing a significant burden on the national economy. Every year, more than 6,500 new cases of diabetes are recorded, over 2,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed, one in three individuals suffers from high blood pressure, and 66% of the population are overweight or obese. These indicators highlight a high and growing health burden that impacts the healthy life expectancy of the population, necessitating strengthened efforts in prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.”
Al Mandhari stressed that Oman Vision 2040 places health at the forefront of its priorities in order to build a sustainable health system that promotes prevention and reduces the burden of non-communicable diseases.
He explained that the Sultanate of Oman has strengthened its healthcare system to address the challenges of these diseases through early screening programs for diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, tobacco control strategies, and promoting physical activity and healthy nutrition.
He added that the national survey is a vital step in providing accurate data on the risk factors associated with these diseases. This data will enable policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to develop effective policies to improve citizens' health and reduce morbidity and mortality rates.
On his turn, Dr. Jan Jabbour, WHO Representative in Oman indicated that the burden of non-communicable diseases in Oman is experiencing a rising trend, presenting a significant challenge to the healthcare system and negatively impacting the health and well-being of the entire community.
Therefore, he affirmed, addressing this growing challenge requires a deep and comprehensive understanding of the risk factors contributing to the spread of these diseases within our communities.
He said: “The STEPS survey will focus on key behavioural risk factors, such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets, in addition to biological risk factors, including overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar levels. By systematically and accurately collecting this data, a comprehensive understanding of health behaviours and the prevalent health conditions in society could be developed.”
The WHO Representative in Oman emphasized that the importance of this survey lies in the results revealed by the 2017 STEPS survey in Oman, which showed concerning trends in the risk factors for non-communicable diseases. For instance, the prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥25) reached 66%, with a notable increase from 54% in 2008 to 67% in 2017. Alarmingly, the rate of obesity (BMI ≥30) reached 35%, with a significant rise among women, where the percentage reached 41%. The results also revealed that 39% of the population suffers from physical inactivity.
He added that these current statistics highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases. The data collected through the national survey will support the design and implementation of evidence-based strategies tailored specifically to national needs.
The first phase of the national survey began on 29 December 2024, focusing on updating household lists in various governorates of Oman in preparation for selecting the random sample of participating households.
The second phase is scheduled to begin next April and will last for three months, during which field data will be collected from the selected households through health questionnaires and clinical measurements, including height and weight, blood pressure, and blood tests to determine sugar and cholesterol levels.
Following the launch ceremony, an intensive five-day training program will be conducted, targeting the participation of 165 field teams from various governorates of Oman. The training aims to enhance the participants' skills in conducting the survey according to the highest international standards. It will include a practical component, where a pilot study will be conducted on a selected group of households before the actual field survey begins.
