Muscat – A national workshop on medical response to hazardous materials incidents began in Muscat on Sunday, bringing together experts to review emerging threats and the latest techniques for detecting and managing hazardous materials.

Organised by the Ministry of Health (MoH), in cooperation with the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority and the European Commission of the European Union, the four-day workshop aims to enhance Oman’s preparedness and response to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.

The workshop opened under the patronage of H E Dr Ahmed bin Salem al Manthari, Undersecretary for Health Planning and Regulation in MoH.

Speaking at the opening, Dr Mohammed al Bousafi, Director of the Emergency Management Centre at MoH and Health Sector Coordinator for the National Risk Register, said the workshop reflects ongoing national efforts to build resilience and enhance readiness to deal with all types of hazardous materials.

“The workshop seeks to raise preparedness and efficiency of the national emergency medical team by developing technical and practical capabilities, exchanging experiences, and adopting best practices in rapid response and safe handling of complex incidents,” Bousafi said.

The workshop will include sessions on lessons learnt from real-life incidents, aimed at improving coordination and skills of para-medics and emergency personnel in handling CBRN situations.

Capt Salem al Abri of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, highlighted its key role in managing hazardous materials incidents. “Our teams are at the forefront of national response operations, responsible for detection, containment, and coordination with other relevant authorities to ensure a swift and effective response.”

Through this collaboration, Oman continues to enhance its national emergency preparedness framework and ensure the safety and resilience of its health and civil defence sectors.