Forum discusses water safety plans
Muscat: Deliberations of the 'Water Safety Forum', organised by the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) began today.
The five-day event is being held in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), several government and private entities, and over 40 representatives from licensed water sector companies.
It aims to enhance the preparedness of water sector institutions in implementing water safety plans, improving operational oversight, and ensuring water quality across distribution, storage, and transportation stages. The event aligns with WHO technical guidelines and seeks to strengthen the sector's regulatory and supervisory framework.
The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Mansour Talib Al Hinai, APSR Chairman, who emphasised the Authority's ongoing efforts to develop Oman's water sector regulatory framework. He highlighted the importance of enabling operators to adopt proactive risk management practices and enhance safety measures.
In his turn, Dr. Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative in Oman, stated that the training program to be delivered during the forum will bolster the development and implementation of water safety plans, ensuring their sustainability while equipping participants with new expertise.
He reaffirmed WHO's commitment to supporting Oman in achieving the highest water safety standards.
The forum's agenda features five specialised training phases spread across five days, covering a comprehensive range of theoretical and applied topics.
The first day focuses on foundational concepts of water safety plans and the importance of forming multidisciplinary teams—including engineers, public health experts, and quality specialists—to develop integrated and effective strategies.
Day two addresses risk assessment tools and identifying vulnerabilities in distribution systems, alongside scientific models for prioritising improvements and establishing safety and compliance indicators.
The third day centres on building an operational monitoring system based on accurate, real-time data, incorporating live surveillance techniques and quality verification methods for critical stages, as well as institutional documentation mechanisms.
The fourth day includes hands-on training through a field visit to main reservoirs in Al Khoudh, the Wilayat of A'Seeb, where participants will conduct practical assessments of emergency plans and test system resilience under crisis scenarios.
The forum concludes on the fifth day with a review of evaluation tools and case studies of WHO-endorsed plans used to refine institutional policies and ensure continuous improvement in water quality management systems.
Through this forum, the Authority for Public Services Regulation seeks to establish a comprehensive, science-based approach to water service management, fostering a national system grounded in prevention, oversight, and efficiency.
The initiative aims to enhance the sustainability of water services, improve operational transparency and compliance, and expand international cooperation while leveraging technical expertise to support institutional development and strengthen Oman's water security.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
02-06-2025
- Times of Oman
Muscat Municipality organises training programme in pest control
Muscat: In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), Muscat Municipality successfully conducted a specialised training programme for the pest control professionals, from 18 May to 1 June 2025. This initiative is part of the Municipality's ongoing efforts to build national expertise in vector control and raise public health standards across the Governorate. Aligned with the latest international standards and best practices, the programme was designed to train the national workforce and field operatives in pest control. It offered a comprehensive approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. It focused on pest identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of integrated, sustainable, and environmentally conscious control strategies. The initiative included a series of scientific lectures and on-site workshops delivered by leading international experts from the WHO. Skilled professionals across the wilayats of Muscat Governorate participated in these sessions, contributing to a dynamic and engaging training environment. 'The collaboration with the WHO underscores Muscat Municipality's commitment to strengthening partnerships with global institutions and capitalising on their expertise across various fields. It enables us to adopt world-class public health practices and further develop the skills and capabilities of our national workforce, contributing directly to national efforts to mitigate health risks and improve quality of life. "We remain steadfast in our investment in human capital, which forms the foundation of the sustainable urban development we aspire to,' said His Excellency Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality. Notably, this programme marks a significant milestone in Muscat Municipality's strategy to establish an effective and enduring pest control system aligned with public health objectives and national priorities. The Municipality also reaffirmed its commitment to enhance cooperation with international organisations, advance knowledge exchange, and launch further specialised training initiatives. Ultimately, this approach will empower national talent and elevate municipal services in line with the highest professional and scientific benchmarks.
Muscat Daily
01-06-2025
- Muscat Daily
Turkey sees sharp rise in obesity
Istanbul, Turkey – Worldwide, over one billion people are living with obesity. It's become such a serious issue that the World Health Organization has called it an 'epidemic'. According to a 2022 WHO report, Turkey ranks first in Europe for rates of overweight and obesity, with 66.8% of people affected. Turkey is also one of the world's high-income nations that is experiencing the sharpest rise in obesity. By 2030, it's estimated that 27mn people in Turkey – or one in three – will be obese. Health and social experts attribute this trend to insufficient nutrition, social inequality, unhealthy food supplies and a lack of coherent policy strategies. Studies indicate that one in five children in Turkey suffers from malnutrition, at least 10% of whom are overweight or obese. 'Poverty is the problem' For years, Turkey has faced high food price inflation, reducing citizens' purchasing power. Hacer Foggo, a Turkish poverty researcher and activist, said the growing number of obese children can be linked to extreme poverty. 'Malnutrition can stunt growth and lead to obesity,' she said, pointing to a 2022 study by the Turkish Statistical Institute showing that 62.4% of children in Turkey predominantly eat bread and pasta. These findings, she added, have not been taken seriously enough. Bulent Sik, a food researcher, sees a direct link between the rise in child obesity and the widespread consumption of highly processed foods with low nutritional value and a high sugar content. 'The increasing consumption of cheap, easily accessible snacks and sugary soft drinks is directly tied to the rise in obesity,' he said. As long as the manufacturing of these products is not regulated, he added, most political measures remain merely symbolic. Sik also warned of another risk: the use of toxic chemicals in food production, such as pesticides and certain additives that are related to hormonal imbalances and weight gain. 'Some of these toxic substances have a negative impact on hormone systems,' he explained, 'which poses a serious threat, especially for growing children'. He cited a study by Greenpeace Turkey showing that one-third of produce sold in Istanbul contained pesticide residues that can disrupt hormones, impede neurological development and potentially cause cancer. Despite these findings, Sik said, government food oversight policies still focus primarily on calorie counting. National campaign Turkey's Health Ministry has launched a national public health campaign to combat obesity, setting up stations in busy public areas and at event venues to measure citizens' height, weight and body mass index, or BMI. The aim is to identify overweight individuals and refer them to health centres or general practitioners, where they can receive support from nutritional advisers. The ministry hopes its campaign, launched in mid-May, will reach 10mn citizens within two months and help raise awareness about the dangers of obesity while promoting a healthy lifestyle. But the effort has drawn criticism for stigmatising overweight individuals and overlooking the country's broader economic struggles. Healthy foods often expensive Experts say the state has not issued adequate guidelines for healthy eating or restricted the marketing of unhealthy foods. This lack of regulation is putting children and low-income communities at particular risk. 'Political decision-makers are responsible for creating solutions,' said Sik. Healthy and fresh foods are often more expensive and largely inaccessible to low-income households, leading to a nutritional imbalance. This contributes to obesity, growth disorders and iron deficiency in children. Both Sik and Foggo support a nationwide free school meal programme. Foggo criticised the government for failing to act, despite repeated calls. 'In the parliament's protocols, you can see that the Health Ministry has recognised the problem and sees that school meals are the solution. But not a single step has been taken,' she said. Turkey is also facing a shortage of professionals in the field. According to the health and social workers' union Saglik Sen, the number of dietitians working in public hospitals has dropped by nearly 20% over the past five years. DW
Muscat Daily
31-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Region has highest youth smoking rate in the world: WHO
Cairo, Egypt – The Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest youth smoking rate in the world, according to World Health Organization Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy. 'We must act to protect the next generation. Let us stand together and make it crystal clear. No more tricks. No more traps. Let's unite for a tobacco-free future,' she said on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2025, held on Saturday under the banner 'Bright Products. Dark Intentions'. This year's theme sheds light on the tobacco industry's tactics to lure women and young people into addiction through flavoured and colourful products. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death globally, with the Eastern Mediterranean Region bearing a significant burden. The region has the highest smoking rates among adolescent boys, with countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt ranking among the highest globally. The promotion of new nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, has led to higher dependency rates among vulnerable groups, WHO stated. Globally, 37mn children aged 13–15 years use tobacco. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, smoking rates in some areas have reached 43% among adolescent boys (aged 13–15 years) and 20% among adolescent girls. The highest prevalence of tobacco use among boys is recorded in the occupied Palestinian territory (West Bank) at 43.3%, followed by Jordan at 33.9% and Syria at 31.6%. Alarmingly, the gap in tobacco use between men and women is narrowing, with more women and girls taking up smoking, exposing them to health risks such as cervical cancer, osteoporosis and fertility issues.
