Latest news with #HilalbinAlialSabti
Observer
a day ago
- Health
- Observer
Oman, Belarus sign MoU in healthcare
MINSK: The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Belarus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of healthcare on Wednesday in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. The MoU was signed by Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, and Alexander Khodjaev, Minister of Health of the Republic of Belarus. The MoU includes cooperation in several medical fields, such as healthcare, education and staff training. It also involves holding joint events for professional development, exchanging views through consultation, preparing joint scientific research in the field of medicine, trading medicines, devices and equipment, exchanging training courses and hosting expert visits. - ONA
Observer
5 days ago
- Health
- Observer
Health minister discusses investment opportunities
TUNIS: Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, discussed investment opportunities in the health sector in the Sultanate of Oman at a meeting with Tunisian businessmen in the capital, Tunis, on Sunday as part of his official visit to the Republic of Tunisia to participate in the Regional One Health Conference for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). During the meeting, the minister of health affirmed the Omani government's commitment to strengthening partnerships with investors, highlighting the facilities provided by the Sultanate of Oman to encourage investment in the health sector and address any challenges that may face investors. The health minister and his accompanying delegation toured the Saeed Pharmaceutical Industries (IPS) plant, where they viewed the production lines and the other facilities. The minister listened to a detailed explanation from the factory's management regarding the work mechanism, manufacturing quality and the technologies applied at the plant. The visit aimed at strengthening health cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Tunisia and exchanging expertise in the fields of pharmaceutical industries and health investment.
Observer
6 days ago
- Health
- Observer
Oman reviews its 'One Health' implementation efforts
TUNIS: The Sultanate of Oman participated as the guest of honour at the One Health Regional Conference for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, hosted by the Republic of Tunisia. The Sultanate of Oman's delegation was headed by Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health. Dr Al Sabti delivered a speech in which he reviewed the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to implement the One Health approach. He pointed out that the conference constitutes a vital platform for exchanging experiences and best practices, enhancing collective efforts and strengthening regional and international cooperation to address health challenges according to an integrated and comprehensive approach that places human, animal and environmental health at the core of its concerns. He highlighted the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to implement the One Health approach. He explained that the Sultanate of Oman has established several national mechanisms to support the One Health approach, including the formation of national committees and sectoral teams to activate integration between sectors. Those include the National Committee for Integrated Disease Vector Management, the National Committee for Food Safety and Quality, the National Committee for the Hydrological Programme for Safe Water Resources, the National Committee for Climate Change and Ozone Layer Protection, the National Committee for the Sound Management of Chemicals and the Central Team for Improving Environmental Performance in coordination with the Environment Authority to ensure the safety of ecosystems and adaptation to climate change. 'The Sultanate of Oman has played a leading and distinguished role in international forums on the issue of antimicrobial resistance, highlighted by its organisation and hosting of the Third High-Level Global Ministerial Conference for the first time in the MENA region in Muscat in 2022. Besides, the Muscat Conference and the Muscat Final Statement, signed by 47 countries, marked the starting point for preparations for the United Nations High-Level Meeting to discuss the issue of antimicrobial resistance, held in New York on September 26, 2024," he said. 'Within the framework of our commitment to sustainability and the environment (climate change), we launched the Carbon Neutrality Project, which represents a strategic pillar for supporting environmental health by achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This project is a strategic step to support environmental health, improve air quality and reduce health risks resulting from climate change reflecting the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to the principles of One Health and the requirements of sustainable development.', he added. He emphasised that the Sultanate of Oman firmly believes that addressing global and regional health challenges requires concerted efforts and cooperation across all sectors to ensure human health, animal safety and environmental sustainability. This is essential for achieving sustainable development; and enhancing health and food security for our communities. — ONA
Muscat Daily
01-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
MoH tightens rules on promotion, marketing of drugs in Oman
Muscat – Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced new regulations for advertising and promoting medicines aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring ethical marketing practices in the pharmaceutical sector. Issued by H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, Ministerial Decision No 135/2025 outlines procedures and conditions that pharmaceutical firms, agents and consultants must follow before promoting any medicinal product in Oman. The decision was issued on May 29 and will come into effect from today. Under the new rules, only licensed pharmaceutical companies, authorised local agents and approved pharmaceutical consulting offices can advertise medicines. All advertising must be pre-approved by the Drug Safety Centre. To be eligible for a licence, the product must be registered, and the advertising content must match the approved drug leaflet and summary of product characteristics. It must clearly define the target audience and avoid any wording that could mislead consumers, exaggerate benefits, harm public health or breach public morals. 'The objective is to protect consumers from misleading information and to ensure that advertisements remain factual and within the ethical boundaries of public health,' a ministry official said. Applicants must submit a copy of the advertisement, the drug's registration certificate, proof of fee payment and any other documents requested by the centre. The Drug Safety Centre is mandated to respond within 60 days. No response within that timeframe implies rejection. If an application is found incomplete, the applicant will be given 30 days to address shortcomings. Failure to do so within that period will result in application cancellation. Licences are valid for three months and may be renewed for similar periods. Renewal requests must be submitted at least 20 days before licence expiry and will be assessed under the same terms. Advertisers must include the licence number in all materials and documentation, use only approved formats and obtain prior approval for any change. Advertising prescription-only medicines is restricted to scientific publications or at conferences and professional meetings attended by pharmacists and healthcare workers.
Observer
27-05-2025
- Health
- Observer
Combating trans fatty acids in food supplies
The Sultanate of Oman has further enhanced its impressive list of accolades by receiving a new ranking from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from food supplies. Other countries that have been recognised for adopting this best-policy for reducing trans fats in their national food supplies by 2025 include the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Singapore. According to Oman's state-run news agency, the WHO recognition reflects the country's strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life, consolidating preventive healthcare, and improving public health indicators. This aligns with the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to elevate the nation to the ranks of developed countries, with health as a top priority. The news agency quoted Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, as saying, 'The elimination of trans fats represents a significant milestone in our commitment to promoting and protecting community health. Oman takes pride in being one of the nine leading countries globally and the second country in the Arab world to implement this life-saving policy aimed at eliminating this harmful ingredient.' Oman's healthcare system emphasises quality, transparency and accountability. It features a national framework designed to promote and protect public health in accordance with precautionary principles, validated scientific evidence and international health regulations. In 2022, Oman took action in combatting trans-fatty acids, when it issued a ban on the production, import and marketing of partially hydrogenated oils and food products in which these oils are used. The ban was issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Water Resources and it came into effect on July 24, 2022. The decision was expected, given that the problem of high trans-fatty acid intake among the Omani population was highlighted in the National Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030, where such a measure was also proposed. Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are unsaturated fats found in both industrial and natural sources. Their use has increased dramatically in recent years because they tend to be cheaper and are suitable for a variety of processed food products. The World Health Organization has set a target to implement best-practice policies in countries that account for at least 90 per cent of the global trans fats burden by the end of 2025, with a goal of reaching at least 70 per cent within each region. But the global progress remains inadequate, despite policy intention across regions. To date, only 60 countries have adopted these policies, which collectively cover 46 per cent of the world's population. Experts warn that the consumption of in ultra-processed packaging can have severe health consequences. They describe these foods as an open invitation to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer. A high intake of trans fats, defined by the UN health agency as more than one per cent of total energy intake, is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. The consumption of trans fats elevates levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a recognised biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. Research indicates that diets high in trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease by 21 per cent and the risk of death by 28 per cent. Trans fat intake is responsible for up to 500,000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year. "Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Trans fats significantly contribute to preventable deaths each year, particularly due to their impact on heart health," stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Countries must implement best-practice policies, like restricting trans fats to 2 grammes per 100 grammes of total fat or prohibiting partially hydrogenated oils, and also show strict enforcement and monitoring to qualify for the WHO's validation programme, the UN health agency notes. Samuel Kutty The writer is a freelance journalist and author who worked in Oman and India
