Oman’s MoH, Organon, and EPF partner to improve reproductive health outcomes

OMAN – Oman’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Organon and the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF), has released new findings of the Family Planning Policy Atlas 2023 (Atlas) for the Sultanate.

In a news statement from Organon, Razan Gharaibeh, the UAE and Oman Country Lead at Organon, outlined: “Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health in Oman marked a significant stride in ensuring every woman has access to the resources and information she needs.”

Razan Gharaibeh reiterated the company’s commitment to utilize the key findings of the Family Planning Policy Atlas tool for the betterment of women’s health across the Sultanate of Oman.

This launch comes as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimated that 60.5% of married Arab women aspire to avoid short-term pregnancies, yet 40% of them do not use safe and effective family planning methods.

These results suggest that limited access to family planning methods presents a major obstacle to achieving gender equality, a core objective of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Notably, the Atlas 2023 has a special focus on the concrete and extensive repercussions of policies, compelling nations to enhance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services for the overall improvement of their citizens’ well-being.

This initiative is powered by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) in partnership with the Arab Institute for Women, which vetted the data.

Given that many countries have taken concrete steps at the policy level to ensure access to reproductive health for all people, more needs to be done to further strengthen the mechanisms in place.

It is important to note that EPF benefitted from the financial support of Organon to undertake original and independent research which is presented in the Atlas.

Commenting on continued collaboration in healthcare, Marina Davidashvili, Head of Policy, and Research at the EPF, said: “We look forward to working together to bring a better understanding of the current situation and finding ways forward to add more, data and allow for knowledge exchange to upscale the overall family planning strategy for Oman.”

The document has been meticulously developed to influence healthcare policies by actively involving a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society, media, and the general public.

It offers a comprehensive analysis of 21 countries on key aspects such as political leadership on family planning, access to family planning methods, national and international policies, and funding for family planning. 

Future initiatives also include regional and national launches with the main objective of fostering a global conversation and instigating positive transformations in policy-making approaches in health sectors worldwide.

Zeroing in on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Sultanate of Oman has an official national policy and clear strategy related to family planning.

The Sultanate of Oman is also one of the GCC countries that have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The study further revealed that married couples in the Sultanate of Oman have access to family planning information and methods.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health provides a wide range of free birth spacing methods to all Omani women who wish to plan their pregnancies.

In regards to family planning programs, birth spacing services are available through primary healthcare providers and extended health centers throughout the country.

It is worth mentioning that birth spacing services form a crucial part of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services offered in the country.

Notably, these findings were announced during a collaborative workshop organized by Organon, Oman’s MoH, the Directorate General of Primary Health, the Department of Women and Child Health, and the European Parliamentary Forum.

In her address, Dr. Jamila Al Abri, Director of the Department of Woman and Child Health, said: “As the Ministry of Health, we recognize the paramount importance of empowering women and families with knowledge and resources for informed family planning.”

This landmark event brought together 30 esteemed members from Organon, MOH, and EPF highlighting a collective dedication to discuss the findings of the Family Planning Policy Atlas 2023 for Oman.

It signifies a clear reflection of the Ministry of Health’s relentless efforts to promote responsible family planning practices and ensure the well-being of both individuals and the nation as a whole.

“The workshop serves as a pivotal initiative, fostering a healthier, happier society. By providing comprehensive information and support, we aim to enable Omanis to make well-informed decisions about their family’s future,” stated Dr. Jamila Al Abri.

During the collaborative workshop, the MoH and EPF discussed critical findings from this advocacy and policy analysis, which provides essential information on the status of family planning programs in the Sultanate.

The Ministry of Health and the European Parliamentary Forum also agreed to work together to gather additional data that will help with future performance and planning to support family planning efforts in the country.

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