Muscat – To keep communication channels open with the community and to curb child abuse and begging, the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) launched a new communication centre and hotline – 1555 – on Monday.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, in the presence of Talal Said al Mamari, CEO of Omantel, several ministry officials and beneficiaries of the service.

According to H E Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed al Shamsi, MoSD Undersecretary, inauguration of the centre is an important step in achieving one of the pillars of Oman Vision 2040.

“It aims to provide an integrated service and reduce waiting time. The centre will respond to beneficiaries’ queries, follow up their requests and deal with their communications within 48 working hours.”

The centre will receive reports of begging and child abuse 24×7 in direct coordination with specialists in various departments in governorates through trained and qualified staff to serve all beneficiary groups, H E Shamsi informed.

In March 2022, MoSD launched the first phase of its digital transformation programme, which includes social security services and social aid, along with 20 other e-services.

The ministry confirmed that the services are within the strategic plan for digital transformation and to keep pace with efforts to improve the quality of government services and provide these in accordance with specific controls, standards and stages of time to ensure integration with various government institutions.