Oman enacts organ transplant law to protect donors
MUSCAT: In a landmark move to enhance the healthcare framework in the Sultanate of Oman, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced the issuance of a new Royal Decree regulating the transfer and transplantation of human organs and tissues.
The new legislation forms a vital part of the country's evolving health laws and addresses the growing need for advanced organ transplant procedures.
Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, said that the law underpins the National Organ Transplant Programme and provides a clear legal structure for organ donation — whether from living donors or posthumous contributions. The decree guarantees the rights and safety of donors and recipients, regulates the responsibilities of healthcare institutions and outlines medical procedures and ethical standards in accordance with international best practices.
'The organ transplant law reflects Oman's progressive approach to public health and meets an urgent need in addressing cases of terminal organ failure,' Dr Al Sabti said. 'It ensures that the system operates with transparency, respect for human dignity and medical integrity.'
The minister also stressed the importance of comprehensive legislation such as the Public Health Law, which serves as a reference framework for all aspects of healthcare. The new organ transplant law aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises quality healthcare and well-being as a national priority.
Dr Al Sabti praised His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for his unwavering support of the health sector and his vision to provide integrated and advanced healthcare services across the Sultanate of Oman.
The new law marks a significant step towards ensuring ethical medical practices, expanding access to life-saving procedures and reinforcing public confidence in Oman's healthcare system. — ONA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
5 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Call to make premarital screening compulsory gains pace in Oman
Ibri – Ministry of Health held a seminar in Ibri, Dhahirah on Tuesday highlighting the vital role of premarital medical screening in building healthy families and raising community awareness. Held under the theme 'Premarital Medical Screening: A Step Towards Building a Healthy Family and an Informed Society', the seminar formed part of National Premarital Screening Programme to promote awareness on premarital testing. It was organised by the Directorate General of Health Services in Dhahirah and held under the patronage of Najib bin Ali al Rawas, Governor of Dhahirah. The seminar underscored the need to intensify awareness campaigns targeting youth and those preparing for marriage, and called for making premarital screening a mandatory requirement. Participants also recommended the establishment of dedicated counseling sessions to help prospective couples understand and manage test results in a scientific and compassionate manner. Emphasis was placed on upholding confidentiality and privacy of test results, and on preventing any misuse of such information. Dr Ahmed bin Saeed al Kalbani, Director General of Health Services in Dhahirah The seminar further called for stronger collaboration between health, educational, media and religious institutions to support and promote a culture of premarital testing. Among the recommendations was the need to provide psychological and social support for couples whose test results are incompatible, especially in cases where health issues could impact marriage plans. Inclusion of premarital screening topics in school curricula from Grades 10 to 12 and at the university level was also proposed to promote early awareness, foster scientific research, and reduce the incidence of genetic diseases. These initiatives align with Oman Vision 2040 objectives for public health and quality of life, focusing on prevention and community wellbeing. Dr Ahmed bin Saeed al Kalbani, Director General of Health Services in Dhahirah, described premarital screening as a cornerstone to preventing hereditary diseases, and a proactive step that can spare families long-term suffering. The seminar featured several presentations by specialists on the medical, social and legal aspects of screening. Prof Dr Salam bin Salem al Kindi, Senior Consultant of Hematology at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, reviewed key genetic diseases covered by the National Premarital Screening Programme. Dr Sarah bint Nasser al Waili, Director of Primary Healthcare Department, outlined the objectives and implementation mechanisms of the National Premarital Screening Programme.
Observer
6 hours ago
- Observer
139 organ donation operations performed since January 2023
By Noura al Abriyah MUSCAT: The National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) said that it had made several achievements during the period from January 2023 to May 2025, including a heart transplant from a brain-dead patient, 116 corneal transplants, 18 kidney transplants, four liver transplants and the diagnosis of 88 brain-dead cases. Eleven families gave consent to donate organs from their brain-dead members and 72 families promised to consider donating an organ after the death of a family member. The NOTP paid 800 visits to intensive care patients. Reports were received from intensive care units regarding 229 suspected brain-dead cases, the NOTP said. As part of its continued efforts, the NOTP held more than 100 events to raise community awareness of the importance of organ donation, and the number of registered users of the Shifaa app crossed 20,000. The NOTP explained that organ donation after brain death can save the lives of eight people suffering from organ failure and significantly improve their quality of life. Organs that can be donated after death include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas as well as human tissue such as the cornea, heart valves, among others. The NOTP indicated that organ donation after death requires a written will. In exceptional cases, a human organ or tissue may be transferred from a deceased person with the consent of their guardian and death must be definitively proven as per the regulations governing the transfer and transplantation of human organs and tissues. Citizens and residents wishing to register as an organ donor after death can download the Ministry of Health's Shifa app on smart devices and register on the organ donation page. The NOTP launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation. The campaign aimed to introduce the national programme, its objectives, and relevant laws. It also sought to explain the suffering of organ failure patients and present the experiences of organ donors and recipient patients. One of the most important themes the NOTP aims to convey to community members through the campaign is raising awareness of the causes of organ failure and how to prevent and control these causes, primarily diabetes and chronic hypertension. The NOTP warned against the dangers of dealing with the black markets to buy human organs. The campaign also aimed to build an effective partnership between various relevant sectors and to clarify how these sectors support organ failure patients, living organ donors and the families of organ donors after brain death. It also aimed to explain the concept of brain death by specialists and to refute rumors related to organ transplantation. The campaign covered all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman during which direct meetings were held with health officials, health sector workers, dialysis centres, intensive care doctors and nurses and lectures were delivered to health workers to introduce the National Transplant Programme.
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
Organ transplants increase as public participation grows in Oman
Muscat – The National Organ Transplant Programme has achieved a significant milestone with 23 organs successfully transplanted from 11 brain-dead donors between January 2023 and May 2025, according to Ministry of Health (MoH). In a statement, the ministry said that during the same period, more than 20,000 individuals registered as organ donors through the Shifa app. The programme's dedicated hotline also handled over 1,000 calls and messages from the public, reflecting growing awareness and engagement. MoH reported that transplant teams made over 800 visits to intensive care units and a total of 229 reports of suspected brain death were received from ICUs across the sultanate. Of these, 88 cases were confirmed as brain dead, and 72 families were offered the option of organ donation. Between January 2023 and May 2025, 18 kidneys, four livers and one heart were successfully transplanted, the last of which was performed on April 14, 2025. In addition, 116 corneas were transplanted since September 2023. Alongside these medical achievements, MoH organised more than 100 community awareness events to promote the importance of organ donation and encourage greater public participation. The ministry expressed its appreciation to healthcare professionals, donor families and all contributors to the programme's success, reaffirming its commitment to further developing transplant services in Oman.
