17 hours ago
Oman launches updated national HIV guidelines
Muscat – Represented by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health (MoH) launched an updated edition of the National HIV Guidelines on Thursday marking a significant step forward in the sultanate's efforts to enhance the quality of care for people living with HIV.
The event was held under the patronage of H E Dr Ahmed bin Salem al Mandhari, Undersecretary for Planning and Health Regulation at MoH, and attended by Dr Amal al Ma'niyah, Director General of Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, alongside several senior officials and healthcare professionals.
Revision of the national guidelines forms part of MoH's ongoing commitment to standardising the provision of care and treatment across healthcare institutions in line with evidence-based best practices. It also aims to enhance the capacity of healthcare providers, support the objectives of the National AIDS Strategy, and help mitigate the health and social impacts of the virus.
The updated guidelines offer practical, clinical and scientific recommendations in key areas such as diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up. These also address the psychological, social and human rights factors affecting people living with HIV.
Developed in collaboration with national and international experts, the guidelines align with global standards established by World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
On the sidelines of the launch, a training workshop was held for 150 healthcare professionals representing health institutions across all governorates. Organised by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with The Royal Hospital, the workshop focused on key updates in the 2025 National HIV Guidelines, implications of these on clinical practice and ways to foster stronger inter-professional collaboration among HIV service providers.
The centre emphasised the fact that the updated guidelines represent a pivotal advancement in improving the quality of life for people living with HIV, reducing new infection rates, and combating the stigma and discrimination associated with the virus.
