OMAN—The Directorate General of Health Services in Dhofar governorate has kicked off the “National Survey of Non-Communicable Diseases” project at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah.
The initiative was inaugurated under the patronage of H.H. Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar.
The launch event featured two significant presentations.
The first outlined the survey’s goals and scope, emphasizing its importance in addressing Oman’s health challenges.
The second detailed the methodology, highlighting the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organize data and the critical role of field teams during the survey’s initial phase.
Dr. Hamoud bin Said Al Fazari, Director of the Primary Care Department in Dhofar, described the project as a vital national effort to enhance public health and strengthen Oman’s healthcare system.
He stressed that the survey’s evidence-based approach will play a key role in shaping future health policies and programs.
The survey will target citizens and residents aged 15 and above across Oman to collect detailed data on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions, and cancer.
These diseases pose significant health and economic challenges both locally and globally.
Additionally, the survey aims to identify major risk factors linked to these conditions, with a particular focus on unhealthy lifestyle habits.
The initiative will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase will involve field visits to update residential maps and gather demographic data about the population.
In the second phase, field teams will visit households in various governorates to collect health information, conduct physical assessments, and administer questionnaires.
This comprehensive data collection is expected to provide valuable insights into the health status of Oman’s population.
Dr. Fazari emphasized that the findings will form the foundation for policies aimed at preventing NCDs and reducing their impact on individuals and the healthcare system.
He added that addressing these health challenges is crucial for improving the well-being of communities and managing the economic burden of chronic diseases.
The National Survey for NCDs was initially launched in Muscat governorate in December 2024 and will now expand to cover all governorates, marking a significant step toward a healthier Oman.
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