National health insurance goes digital with ‘Dhamani'

Observer

20-04-2025

MUSCAT, APRIL 20
Oman marked the official launch of the national health insurance platform "Dhamani", a milestone accomplishment in the modernization of the nation's healthcare and insurance industries.
Announced by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the platform is technically and legislatively complete, offering integrated digital services to regulate the health insurance market. "Dhamani" facilitates seamless data and claim exchanges between insurance companies and private healthcare providers, besides creating unified medical records accessible by policyholders across private institutions.
Shaikh Abdullah bin Salem al Salmi, CEO of the FSA, stated that the platform was a "qualitative leap" for Oman's insurance market, in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 agenda to promote digital infrastructure and increase access to essential services.
During its trial phase, "Dhamani" settled nearly three million transactions during the first quarter of 2025, with 33 private hospitals and three health complexes already linked. All the insurance companies that are licensed are now part of the system, prior to full operational rollout across the remaining private clinics and healthcare facilities.
FSA Insurance Sector Vice President Ahmed bin Ali al Maamari said: "The recently launched "Dhamani" health insurance platform will significantly enhance the level of health care services in the Sultanate. Through the platform's streamlining of the approval process for treatment requests and enabling of electronic payment between hospitals and insurance companies, the Sultanate's policyholders will be in a position to obtain faster, more reliable services," he stated.
"All 33 private hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Health are now fully integrated into the system. Authorities confirmed that efforts are underway to continue expanding the platform's reach by including health centres, clinics, and pharmacies, increasing supervision and the overall experience of healthcare in the private sector," Al Maamari added
The system also promises the possibility of faster settlement of claims to private hospitals, better fraud detection, and access to a centralized database of diagnoses and treatments—vital tools for regulatory control and healthcare planning. It employs cutting-edge medical coding systems and cybersecurity protocols, with secure and efficient transmission of information.
With more than 650,000 policyholders covered at present and an average of 40,000 transactions occurring daily, "Dhamani" is expected to simplify administrative procedures, reduce healthcare costs, and improve overall service delivery. The FSA developed the platform in coordination with the major stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, and Invest Easy.
This digitalization is backed by new legislation, like Regulation No. 83/2023, which governs electronic integration in the insurance sector. The FSA has amended the legal framework to provide rights, enforce compliance, and permit faster, tech-enabled registration, claims, and reimbursements.
By bridging gaps in the current system and providing one digital backbone, "Dhamani" is a beacon of innovation—a single system that will enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and render Oman's healthcare system more accessible and sustainable for generations to come.