Issue:

A population based study conducted in 1995 by the Oman Ministry of Health (MOH) showed that around 6% of the Omani population are carriers for blood disorders, which include Sickle cell disease affecting 2% of the population, and Beta Thalassemia carried by 2% while affecting 0.2%. In addition, 17.9% are affected with G6PD deficiency. Additionally and according to the latest MOH figures, 12% of the population suffer from diabetes with a rising tendency. In order to reduce the incidents of inheritance of blood disorders in the population, a premarital screening program was started in Muscat in 1999 and in the regional hospitals in 2001 as a voluntary screening. Recent studies produced by Sultan Qaboos University, however, showed that there is no reduction in the incidents. Approximately 120 children are born yearly with sickle cell anemia and 20 with Beta thalassemia.

Action:

Between the dates of June 8 and 12, a joint mission of UNFPA GCC office and WHO Oman delivered a 5-day technical assistance mission to the MOH Family and Community Health Department to assess the current situation of the health care in regard to preconception care and provide guidance to the ministry on how to incorporate preconception care services as a package into the current existent services and strengthen the ministry's national health care system and services as whole.

The objective of the mission was to conduct an in depth assessment for the situation of preconception care in Oman, including premarital screening and counseling, and provide recommendations including plan of action to strengthen the services. This assessment was led by two international experts from Germany and South Africa. The mission team conducted nationwide field visits to meet health professionals from various regions of the Sultanate to have a closer observation of the status of healthcare across the country. A briefing meeting took place at the start of the mission to highlight its main objectives and concluded with a debriefing meeting. A comprehensive report by the consultants is underway.

Impact:

The preliminary finds of the mission indicated areas of opportunities and challenges to improve and enhance preconception care in Oman. Currently, Premarital counseling is underutilized: only 10% of couples make use of offered services. The programme needs to be reshaped to attract higher number of people. A comprehensive review of resource allocations and policy implementations will take place in the anticipated report.