Muscat – On the occasion of World Heart Day 2026, Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Private Health Establishments, Ministry of Health, has launched the “Save a Heart” campaign — a community-focused public health initiative aimed at bridging the knowledge gap around cardiac emergencies and empowering people with practical knowledge that could potentially help save lives.

The campaign is built around a simple but critical question: If someone around you suddenly collapses, becomes unresponsive or is not breathing normally, would you know what to do?

To take this message directly to the community, public interactions were conducted at public places like beaches, parks, markets, engaging people from different nationalities and backgrounds to understand their awareness and preparedness in responding to cardiac emergencies. Medical teams subsequently provided practical education, including demonstrations of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), with members of the public encouraged to practice the technique themselves.

The campaign also featured controlled cardiac-emergency simulations at Muttrah Souq, Nizwa Traditional Souq and Sohar Handicraft Souq. Trained actors simulated suspected cardiac emergencies to observe how members of the public would naturally respond. The purpose was not to judge individual reactions, but to identify awareness gaps and transform those moments into opportunities for practical learning.

Following each simulation, Badr Al Samaa doctors and medical teams interacted with the public, explained the appropriate response to a cardiac emergency and demonstrated CPR. The campaign reinforces essential messages including recognizing an emergency, seeking professional medical assistance promptly, understanding when CPR is required, and being prepared to act until professional help arrives.

Dr. Muhanna bin Nasser bin Rashid Al Musalhi, Director General of Private Health Institutions, Ministry of Health, said: “Community awareness and preparedness are important components of public health, particularly when dealing with time-sensitive emergencies. The ‘Save a Heart’ campaign is an important initiative that aims to bridge the knowledge gap by taking practical cardiac-emergency awareness directly to the public. By helping people understand how to recognize an emergency, seek immediate professional assistance and respond appropriately, we can empower members of the community with knowledge that could potentially help save lives. We value the role of private healthcare institutions such as Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals in supporting public-health awareness and working in partnership with the Ministry of Health for the well-being of the community.”

In a joint statement, Mr. Abdul Latheef Uppala and Dr. P. A. Mohammed, Managing Directors of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, said: “Healthcare should extend beyond the walls of hospitals. As a healthcare institution serving communities across Oman, we believe we have a responsibility not only to treat illness, but also to educate and empower people. Through ‘Save a Heart’, our objective is to bridge the gap between people’s willingness to help and knowing what to do when every second matters. If this campaign enables more people to recognize an emergency, seek help quickly and respond appropriately, it can create a meaningful and lasting impact in our community.”

Mr. Moiden Bilal and Mr. Firasath Hassan, Executive Directors of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, jointly stated: “The strength of this campaign lies in taking awareness directly to people. From public interactions and real-world simulations to CPR demonstrations, social media education and patient information materials, we have used multiple platforms to make life-saving knowledge simple, practical and accessible. We want this awareness to travel beyond the individuals we interacted with to their families, friends, workplaces and wider communities.”

Highlighting the medical importance of preparedness, Dr. Benny Panakkal, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Badr Al Samaa Royal Hospital and Group Medical Director, Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, said: “During a cardiac emergency, recognizing that something is seriously wrong and seeking professional medical assistance without delay is extremely important. When a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, knowing how to initiate CPR can be vital while waiting for emergency medical help. Building this basic awareness among the public can strengthen the chain of response during those critical first few minutes.”

Dr. Ganesh, Interventional Cardiologist at Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Ruwi added: “One of the most important outcomes of this campaign is confidence. People may genuinely want to help during an emergency, but uncertainty about what to do can lead to hesitation. Practical education helps turn that willingness into informed action. Learning how to recognize an emergency, call for help and understand the basics of CPR can prepare ordinary members of the community to respond more confidently.”

Beyond the on-ground activities, the Save a Heart campaign is being amplified through cardiologist-led educational videos, social media awareness content, newspaper articles, bilingual English and Arabic patient education materials, and QR-enabled information. Specially designed QR-enabled fridge magnets have also been distributed to make essential information easily accessible and shareable within homes and families.

Through this multi-channel initiative, Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals and the Directorate General of Private Health Establishments, Ministry of Health, aim to create a wider ripple of awareness across the Sultanate.