logo
Muscat hosts 15th International Oncology Conference

Muscat hosts 15th International Oncology Conference

Observer16-02-2025

MUSCAT: The 15th Muscat International Oncology Conference commenced on Sunday, focusing on the latest advancements in oncology research and treatment. The event aims to foster collaboration among oncology specialists and facilitate knowledge exchange.
Dr Suad bint Sulaiman al Kharousiyah, Oncology Consultant and Director of the National Oncology Centre, emphasised the conference's role in raising cancer awareness and promoting strategies for combating the disease. She highlighted the platform's value in enabling experts to share insights and innovations.
The conference discussed the role in raising cancer awareness and strategies for combating the disease
Organised by the Oman Oncology Association in collaboration with the Royal Hospital and the Sultan Qaboos Centre for Cancer Care and Research, the two-day event features scientific lectures and workshops on diverse cancer treatment topics.
Discussions include experiences from Eastern Mediterranean countries on decentralising cancer treatment, strategies for implementation in Arab societies, and addressing the rising costs of cancer medications. Key sessions also cover treatment approaches for early-stage lung cancer, complex radiotherapy cases and urogenital tumours. The conference was inaugurated under the auspices of Dr Said bin Harib al Lamki, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs. - ONA

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Royal Hospital emphasises on risk management in the health sector
Royal Hospital emphasises on risk management in the health sector

Times of Oman

time02-06-2025

  • Times of Oman

Royal Hospital emphasises on risk management in the health sector

Muscat: The Royal Hospital on Monday officially launched its Comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) programme under the auspices of Dr. Ahmed Salim Al Manthari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning and Health Organization. In his keynote speech, the Undersecretary emphasised the strategic and national importance of risk management in the health sector. He highlighted the impact of implementing comprehensive ERM on governance, transparency, healthcare service quality improvement, and leadership's role in fostering a risk-aware culture and data-driven decision making. He underscored the importance of aligning the risk management program with Oman Vision 2040 and its goals of efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. He called for genuine commitment in implementing comprehensive ERM through continued training workshops in the coming phase. Dr. Jawaher Mubarak Al Kalbani, Assistant Director General for Medical Support Affairs at the Royal Hospital, stated that launching the ERM programme represents a strategic step toward effective governance, highest quality and safety standards, and modern management. She noted that the programme enhances risk prediction capabilities and supports informed strategic decision-making for institutional sustainability and performance effectiveness. Al Kalbani added that the program is designed based on the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) model, adapted to national needs. It includes risk classification across eight key domains and development of standardised tools like FMEA and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). She said that this launch initiates upcoming implementation phases including intensive training courses and building an integrated institutional system for comprehensive, sustainable program application. Engineer Ali Al Sheidani from Oman Vision 2040 Office highlighted the program's alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and future strategies. Dr. Suad Al Ismaili, Director of Quality Management and Patient Safety Department at the Royal Hospital, presented the eight pillars of the comprehensive ERM program and new policy. The ceremony featured a video presentation showcasing the Royal Hospital's ERM journey. Notably, the comprehensive ERM program aims to build an institutional risk-aware culture, enhance response capabilities to various risks (clinical, operational, or strategic), and support risk analysis-based planning for optimal resource utilisation while improving healthcare regulation and patient safety.

Combating trans fatty acids in food supplies
Combating trans fatty acids in food supplies

Observer

time27-05-2025

  • Observer

Combating trans fatty acids in food supplies

The Sultanate of Oman has further enhanced its impressive list of accolades by receiving a new ranking from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from food supplies. Other countries that have been recognised for adopting this best-policy for reducing trans fats in their national food supplies by 2025 include the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Singapore. According to Oman's state-run news agency, the WHO recognition reflects the country's strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life, consolidating preventive healthcare, and improving public health indicators. This aligns with the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to elevate the nation to the ranks of developed countries, with health as a top priority. The news agency quoted Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, as saying, 'The elimination of trans fats represents a significant milestone in our commitment to promoting and protecting community health. Oman takes pride in being one of the nine leading countries globally and the second country in the Arab world to implement this life-saving policy aimed at eliminating this harmful ingredient.' Oman's healthcare system emphasises quality, transparency and accountability. It features a national framework designed to promote and protect public health in accordance with precautionary principles, validated scientific evidence and international health regulations. In 2022, Oman took action in combatting trans-fatty acids, when it issued a ban on the production, import and marketing of partially hydrogenated oils and food products in which these oils are used. The ban was issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Water Resources and it came into effect on July 24, 2022. The decision was expected, given that the problem of high trans-fatty acid intake among the Omani population was highlighted in the National Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030, where such a measure was also proposed. Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are unsaturated fats found in both industrial and natural sources. Their use has increased dramatically in recent years because they tend to be cheaper and are suitable for a variety of processed food products. The World Health Organization has set a target to implement best-practice policies in countries that account for at least 90 per cent of the global trans fats burden by the end of 2025, with a goal of reaching at least 70 per cent within each region. But the global progress remains inadequate, despite policy intention across regions. To date, only 60 countries have adopted these policies, which collectively cover 46 per cent of the world's population. Experts warn that the consumption of in ultra-processed packaging can have severe health consequences. They describe these foods as an open invitation to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer. A high intake of trans fats, defined by the UN health agency as more than one per cent of total energy intake, is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. The consumption of trans fats elevates levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a recognised biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. Research indicates that diets high in trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease by 21 per cent and the risk of death by 28 per cent. Trans fat intake is responsible for up to 500,000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year. "Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Trans fats significantly contribute to preventable deaths each year, particularly due to their impact on heart health," stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Countries must implement best-practice policies, like restricting trans fats to 2 grammes per 100 grammes of total fat or prohibiting partially hydrogenated oils, and also show strict enforcement and monitoring to qualify for the WHO's validation programme, the UN health agency notes. Samuel Kutty The writer is a freelance journalist and author who worked in Oman and India

Oman awarded for eliminating trans-fats from food products
Oman awarded for eliminating trans-fats from food products

Observer

time19-05-2025

  • Observer

Oman awarded for eliminating trans-fats from food products

GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman has been awarded a validation certificate by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating industrially-produced trans-fats from food products. This milestone reflects the country's strong commitment to improving the quality of life, consolidating preventive healthcare and augmenting public health indicators in line with the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aspires to elevate the nation to the ranks of developed countries, with health as a top priority. The certificate was officially presented on Monday during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), currently being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19 to 27 May. The Sultanate of Oman's delegation was headed by Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health. In a press statement, Dr Al Sabti said, 'The elimination of trans-fats constitutes a milestone in our commitment to promote and protect community health. Oman takes pride in being among the nine leading countries globally and the second country in the Arab world to implement this life-saving policy of eliminating this harmful ingredient.' Oman's official delegation will be engaged in WHA78's key issues that address the proposed programme budget for the 2026–2027, as well as the role of the Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in supporting WHO's efforts to engage multiple stakeholders in combating NCDs. The discussions also cover mental health and social connectivity, along with various global strategies and action plans scheduled to be implemented with effect from next year. These include the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (2021–2025), the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health and the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (2021–2025). The Assembly is further addressing the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance. It also is reviewing progress made by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body responsible for drafting and negotiating a convention, agreement, or other international instrument under the Constitution of the WHO to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The meeting will cover integrated emergency, critical and surgical care to achieve universal health coverage and protection from health emergencies. It will also address substandard and falsified medical products, as well as global strategies and action plans due to expire within one year, in accordance with the Global Strategy for Digital Health 2020-2025. — ONA

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store