Overview
Healthcare quality in the GCC has improved dramatically over the past half century, with life expectancy, infant mortality, and disease prevention metrics approaching developed-world standards. However, the region faces growing challenges from non-communicable diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity), an ageing population trend, healthcare cost inflation, and the need to build sustainable financing models as government budgets face long-term pressure from energy transition.
Oman’s Position
Oman’s healthcare achievements are remarkable: life expectancy has risen to over 78 years, infant mortality has fallen to approximately 9 per 1,000 live births, and the country has near-universal healthcare coverage through the Ministry of Health system. The WHO has historically ranked Oman’s health system highly for efficiency relative to spending. However, challenges include rising non-communicable disease prevalence (particularly diabetes, affecting over 12 percent of the adult population), healthcare workforce Omanisation, specialist care capacity, and the need to develop a sustainable health insurance model.
Regional Comparison
The UAE leads the GCC on healthcare infrastructure, with world-class facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai attracting medical tourism. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 health reform is transforming its system through corporatisation, insurance mandates, and massive hospital construction. Qatar’s Hamad Medical Corporation provides high-quality care in a well-funded compact system. Bahrain has long-established healthcare institutions. Kuwait’s system is comprehensive but faces efficiency challenges. Oman’s healthcare outcomes are competitive with wealthier GCC peers despite lower per-capita spending, reflecting system efficiency.
Trajectory
Oman’s Health Vision 2050 targets a sustainable, high-quality health system. Priorities include mandatory health insurance implementation, private-sector healthcare expansion, digital health adoption (telemedicine, electronic health records), preventive care emphasis to address lifestyle diseases, and building specialist medical capacity domestically to reduce overseas treatment referrals. The pandemic highlighted both system strengths (rapid response capability) and vulnerabilities (ICU capacity constraints, healthcare worker burnout).