Muscat – Ministry of Health (MoH) launched a national campaign on Wednesday to promote public health for women and children in North Sharqiyah, reflecting the sultanate’s ongoing commitment to maternal and child health.

Held in collaboration with Ministry of Information and Children First Association, the campaign aims to raise awareness on preventive, therapeutic and promotional healthcare services, while reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality. It follows a series of preparatory meetings and field visits that began across Oman in June 2024.

The campaign launch, held under the patronage of H H Sayyida Dr Mona bint Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University and Chairperson of Children First Association, brought together dignitaries, international representatives and public health experts.

Dr Ahmed bin Saeed al Saeedi, Director General of Health Services in North Sharqiyah, highlighted the progress made through national initiatives like the National Maternity and Child Health Programme, the Expanded Immunisation Programme, and early screening programmes for cervical and breast cancer.

Saeedi noted significant improvements in key health indicators in the governorate, including a drop in maternal mortality to 17.5 per 100,000 live births and a decrease in under-five mortality to 11.1 per 1,000 live births. Early pregnancy registration reached 90% in 2024, up from 80% in 2022, while anaemia among pregnant women fell to 19% from 21.8% two years earlier.

He also informed about an expansion of maternity clinics staffed by trained midwives, improved detection of congenital anomalies and increased infertility care in primary healthcare centres. He cited the example of Ibra Hospital which has conducted IVF procedures for 35 cases, with three successful outcomes reported.

On the child health front, the mortality rate in the governorate dropped from 62 to 36 in the last five years, while immunisation coverage increased to 99.8%. More than 9,000 women have accessed early breast cancer screening since 2021, and breastfeeding counselling clinics have been established to enhance maternal support.

“Community engagement is vital,” Saeedi emphasised, noting ongoing partnerships with Omani Women’s Association to deliver awareness programmes across the governorate.