
National Committee for Family Affairs proposes mandatory premarital health screenings
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman's National Committee for Family Affairs is considering, in its first meeting, the issue of mandatory premarital examinations to reduce potential health risks that may affect spouses or their children in the future.
The National Committee for Family Affairs held its first meeting of 2025 today (Monday, May 12, 2025), chaired by Her Excellency Dr. Laila bint Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development and Chairperson of the National Committee for Family Affairs, and attended by several committee members. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Social Development's headquarters.
During the meeting, the implementation status of the committee's recommendations and decisions from the previous meeting was reviewed, along with the latest developments related to the Juvenile Accountability Law. Discussions also covered the introduction of the Family Protection Law and the amendment of the Child Law. The committee also reviewed the Ministry of Health's efforts to mandate premarital screening to mitigate potential health risks that may affect spouses or their children in the future.
It is worth noting that the National Committee for Family Affairs is responsible for proposing general policies and programs for the care of Omani families in various social, health, and cultural fields and monitoring their implementation in coordination with the relevant authorities. It also coordinates the efforts of official and voluntary public bodies and agencies in family affairs, follows up on the implementation of recommendations from international and regional meetings and conferences related to family and other issues, and expresses an opinion on relevant agreements.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Barceló Mussanah Resort Advances Sustainability with Ecobia Bio-Digeste
Muscat – Barceló Mussanah Resort, Oman, continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Since assuming management of the resort in 2021, marking Barceló's debut in the Sultanate, the company has rebranded and upgraded the property to align with international hospitality standards and Oman's national sustainability initiatives. As part of its dedication to environmental responsibility, Barceló Mussanah Resort has partnered with Ecobia Middle East, an Oman-based company offering innovative and cost-effective sustainability solutions, particularly in addressing the challenge of food waste management in the hospitality sector. Several months ago, Barceló Mussanah Resort and OMRAN signed an agreement with Ecobia Middle East to install a cutting-edge bio-digester on the hotel premises. This technology efficiently addresses the issue of food waste by eliminating smelly garbage bags, reducing the attraction of flies and pests, minimizing long-haul waste transport to landfill, and significantly cutting down methane and CO₂ emissions from landfill sites. The installation of the Ecobia Bio-Digester is a dual victory for the resort. Not only has it enhanced the hotel's Corporate Social Responsibility profile, but it also produces rich, 100% organic fertilizer that is now used across the resort's expansive 230,000+ square meters of lawns and landscaped gardens. This eliminates the need to purchase chemical fertilizers, resulting in substantial cost savings. Further benefits include lower waste disposal costs, the elimination of unpleasant odors from rotting food, and the production of free organic fertilizer following the initial return on investment. General Manager David Faull estimates that the bio-digester will achieve ROI within approximately 16 months. David Faull also praised the professionalism, advice, and ongoing support provided by Ecobia Middle East. The company has delivered comprehensive sustainability training to all staff members—from chefs to housekeeping—and conducted intensive training for selected team members on operating, maintaining, and managing the bio-digester. This partnership exemplifies Barceló Mussanah Resort's unwavering commitment to sustainability and its alignment with Oman's environmental goals.


Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Agreement signed on health-promoting schools initiative
Musca t: - The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and Al Jisr Foundation for Charitable Works today signed a cooperation agreement to support the "Health-Promoting Schools" initiative. The initiative aims to provide a safe and health-enhancing educational environment that enables students to improve their academic performance, acquire essential life skills, and integrate into society. The agreement was signed by Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education; Sulaiman bin Nasser Al Hiji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Administrative and Financial Affairs; and Dina Al Khalili, Director General of Al Jisr Foundation for Charitable Works. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, stated that this five-year initiative holds significant importance in enhancing students' health environment, serving as a key tool that positively impacts their academic achievement. He added that the total number of schools participating in the initiative since its launch has reached 566 across various educational directorates in the governorates. These schools implement the initiative's programs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Al Jisr Foundation for Charitable Works. For his part, Sulaiman bin Nasser Al Hiji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Administrative and Financial Affairs, emphasized that this initiative stems from a strategic partnership to serve the public good, particularly by promoting health in school environments. This will be achieved through improving students' learning conditions, enhancing their academic performance, preventing diseases, reducing absenteeism, supporting their mental well-being, and instilling lasting healthy habits—enabling them to focus, engage, and learn more effectively. Dina Al Khalili, Director General of Al Jisr Foundation for Charitable Works, stated that this strategic partnership reflects the convergence of health and education efforts, realizing a shared vision to provide a healthy school environment that enhances students' academic success and develops their essential life skills. She reaffirmed the foundation's commitment to creating a sustainable impact for students and society. Al Jisr Foundation will fund sustainable projects for three schools that have achieved the highest gold-level rating in the "Health-Promoting Schools" initiative over five years. Additionally, the foundation will oversee the initiative's implementation and collaborate with specialized teams from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to develop a visual identity and an operational guide for the initiative. Efforts are also underway to prepare an electronic platform, which will be launched at a later stage.


Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman launches programme to support for children with autism
Muscat – The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), through the National Autism Centre, has launched a summer programme aimed at supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by combining rehabilitation and recreational activities. The initiative, which began on Tuesday, provides a structured and supportive environment to help children develop essential life skills during the summer break. An official from the ministry told Muscat Daily that the programme is designed to enhance behavioural, social, academic and functional skills through practical experiences tailored to each child's individual needs. 'It ensures each child receives the maximum benefit based on their unique potential,' the official said. The programme supplements ongoing rehabilitation services provided throughout the year and places a strong emphasis on communication and language development. Individual and group sessions incorporate alternative communication methods and assistive technologies to help children express themselves more effectively. Improving social interaction is a key focus, with group activities encouraging cooperation and peer engagement. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) strategies are employed to reinforce positive behaviour, while academic support is offered through reading, writing and arithmetic sessions. Sports and art activities are also included to aid the development of motor skills. The programme is being held in two phases at the National Autism Centre: The first from June 3 to 19, and the second from June 22 to July 3. Each day is divided into two sessions – 8:30am to 10:30am and 11:00am to 1:00pm – aligned with the children's energy levels and abilities. 'Through this programme, we aim to offer an integrated setting that supports children with autism during the summer. It thoughtfully blends rehabilitation, education and fun, boosting their self-confidence and enhancing core skills,' the official added. The sessions are supervised by a multidisciplinary team comprising behavioural therapists, speech and language specialists, and occupational therapists, ensuring a comprehensive approach that encourages active participation and sustained motivation.