Oman issued a new public health law (the Law) in April 2025 which aims to promote public health, encouraging both local and international coordination to events concerning public health and ensuring greater community awareness of the risks which impact public health. Each government body and authority (each an Authority) shall work with the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) to protect public health in Oman.
This article will provide an overview of the Law and consider the principal takeaways and its implications on health institutions and services.
Overview
The Law provides an outline of the Ministry’s objectives in promoting public health, specifically underlining the focus on the provision of high standard, accessible health services from varying health institutions including public legal entities, private health institutions and health institutions managed under public-private partnership contracts. The Ministry shall implement an accreditation system for the health institutions, ensuring that they meet the necessary requirements and standards through a thorough evaluation of established procedures.
The Minister has the ability to utilise these health institutions for public purposes in the event of public health emergencies such as a global health crisis. He further holds the power to close health institutions which do not conform to laws concerning public health, especially in the case where an institution may pose a threat to public health. Additionally, the Law highlights the importance of the Ministry sharing information concerning public health within educational programmes to raise community awareness through the media and education programmes.
Furthermore, the Law reinforces how each Authority shall coordinate with the Ministry to undertake various measures to promote public health, in relation to policies, programmes, protecting the environment, nutrition, health emergencies, drug security, combating disease, and a myriad of other elements focusing on ensuring the protection of public health and raising health awareness within Oman.
Physical and Mental Health
The Law covers the aspect of public health related to organ donations, medical research and pharmaceuticals laws, as well as continuing to focus on the provision of health services. The Law prohibition various activities including:
- any activities including participating, contributing, financing – both directly and indirectly - which relate to the cloning of human beings through various methods for developing genetically identical cells; and
- medical research conducted on human bodies without written consent; and
The Law also highlights:
- the Ministry’s involvement in regulating and encouraging the scientific research associated with the handling of stem cells. It reiterates that the extraction of stem cells must be carried out in accordance with medical, Islamic and ethical regulations;
- its regulation of blood services, relating to blood donations, storage and transportation; and
- the prioritisation of the health of women and children by raising community awareness of childcare at varying stages of their development, encouraging breastfeeding and setting vaccination policies and programmes.
Finally, the Ministry shall provide health services to students and children ranging from nurseries to training institutions, including juvenile reform facilities. These institutions must comply with health procedures set by the Ministry.
Infectious Diseases, Epidemics and Health at Border Crossing Points
The Ministry – alongside Authorities and private companies – will develop a strategy which shall protect the local Omani community from the substantial impact of epidemics such as COVID-19, combating infectious diseases and minimising their impact on citizens. In support of this aim, the Ministry states that they shall publish an updated list of infectious diseases and form the necessary measures to prohibit the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Also, the Ministry underlines that in emergency circumstances that may threaten public health, they are prepared to establish controls for regulating entry into Oman. Following this aim to combat infectious diseases, the Ministry shall regulate border crossing points and provide health supervision for individuals and items transported through these border crossing points.
Moreover, the Law establishes that the Ministry will set up a comprehensive system to carry out epidemiological surveillance and report infectious diseases with an aim to ensure (i) the periodical collection of health data, (ii) the monitoring and forecasting of epidemics, (iii) the preparation of records of infectious diseases and (iv) ultimately identifying factors that affect epidemiological situations and take the necessary measures to address them.
Food, Occupational and Environmental Health
The Ministry continues to promote public health in Oman by the Law introducing the plan to encourage healthier nutritional standards by developing a specification for food manufacturing and prohibiting the transportation and import of food products which may pose a threat to the well-being of Omani residents. Additionally, the Law states that the Authorities shall ensure a more balanced and nutritious diet by introducing policies which limit the consumption of unhealthy food products, such as implementing rules, regulations and requirements for supplements, healthy alternatives and herbal products.
The Ministry further underlines its commitment to providing accessible drinking water sources. They aim to limit the use of non-drinking water sources, while simultaneously developing a system to monitor drinking water sources to prevent contamination and ensure that the drinking water meets the health conditions set by the Ministry and maintain quality water sources which protect the public health of Omanis.
The Law also exhibits how Oman is taking significant steps in preserving the nation’s environmental protection. The Authorities, in coordination with the Ministry, aim to carry out a number of activities including:
- establish permissible levels of pollution while monitoring and controlling sources which emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere;
- the prohibition of the dumping of toxic substances on land, seaports, wadis, etc.;
- regulating the transportation, disposal and recycling of solid and liquid waste by setting standard specifications and prohibiting the use of wastewater before treatment; and
- regulating any activities associated with the handling of chemicals.
The Ministry shall issue health specifications for various markets (such as slaughterhouses) to maintain public safety, while also setting rules and procedures for infection control. Moreover, it aims to set precautionary controls associated with the burial and handling of corpses and regulate the establishment of cemeteries and crematories.
Conclusion
The new Law represents a significant step in strengthening Oman's public health framework. By implementing comprehensive regulations across various sectors, the Law aims to safeguard the health and well-being of the Omani population. The collaborative efforts of the Ministry and the Authorities are essential to achieve the objectives set forth in this Law.
For further guidance on the Law and how it may impact your healthcare business in Oman, please reach out to our legal team for tailored advice and support.
