The Ministry of Health (MoH) will mark World Health Day on Tuesday with the launch of a package of new digital and virtual healthcare services aimed at expanding access to medical care and strengthening Oman’s healthcare system.
This year’s observance, held under the theme ‘Together for Health. Stand with Science’, underscores the importance of scientific research, innovation and evidence-based medical practices in addressing emerging health challenges.
A ministry official said the initiatives form part of broader efforts to modernise healthcare delivery and ensure services are accessible to all segments of society through advanced technologies.
Among the key services is virtual urgent care in general medicine, enabling patients to receive prompt medical consultations remotely without visiting healthcare facilities. MoH will also introduce remote consultations for premarital examinations, aimed at streamlining procedures and reducing waiting times for applicants.
In addition, a second medical opinion service will be available in several specialities, including emergency medicine, toxicology and cardiology. The service will allow patients to obtain additional specialist assessments, improving diagnostic accuracy and strengthening confidence in healthcare services.
The ministry said these initiatives reflect Oman’s continued push towards digital transformation in the health sector, expanding smart healthcare services and enhancing quality of life.
Several virtual services have already been piloted, including remote radiology, which allows medical images from hospitals and health centres to be transmitted to the National Centre for Virtual Health for analysis and reporting. The system is expected to accelerate diagnosis and reduce the need for patients to travel between healthcare facilities.
The ministry has also introduced an AI-supported retinal screening service for diabetic patients, through which more than 25,000 patients have been examined, significantly reducing waiting lists.
Officials are studying additional services for future rollout, including remote intensive care monitoring and remote stroke management, aimed at improving emergency response and patient outcomes.
Digital initiatives have expanded rapidly in recent years. In 2025, MoH introduced a QR code system for dispensing medicines, reducing pharmacy waiting times from around 40 minutes to about 15 minutes.
During the same period, around 45,000 virtual medical consultations were conducted, with plans to increase the number to 70,000. About 65% of healthcare institutions have also been linked to the Image Archiving and Communication System and Shifa digital systems, with a target of reaching 90%.
The ministry is preparing to implement its 11th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), which focuses on strengthening health system transformation, expanding digital services and completing major projects, including the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health at Sultan Haitham City.
As part of efforts to enhance health monitoring and preparedness, the ministry has also launched an event-based surveillance system designed to detect potential public health threats early and support rapid response across the sultanate.
Source: https://www.muscatdaily.com/2026/04/06/moh-to-launch-new-digital-and-virtual-healthcare-services/
