Monday 28 / September / 2026
Salalah: The Dhofar Health Planning Forum, organised by the Ministry of Health represented by the Directorate General of Health Services in Dhofar Governorate, kicked off on Monday at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah.
The opening of the three-day forum was held under the auspices of Sheikh Salim Mustahail Al Maashani, Advisor at the Diwan of Royal Court.
Dr. Hani Ahmed Al Qadhi, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services in Dhofar Governorate, delivered a speech in which he emphasised the importance of strategic planning in improving health services and integrating their components in line with the national targets of "Oman Vision 2040".
He explained that the theme carried by the forum, "From Knowledge to Impact," reflects the orientation toward translating data and planning visions into tangible field solutions and applications that make a positive difference in the quality of healthcare provided to citizens and residents across the various wilayats of Dhofar Governorate.
He clarified that the forum aims to empower cadres and executives in the fields of health planning and management, and equip them with tools for forecasting the future and measuring institutional impact, ensuring proper management of available resources and an effective response to challenges and growth requirements in the health sector.
The opening of the forum witnessed the signing of two strategic memorandums of understanding to enhance academic and technical partnership; the first was signed between Dhofar Health Services and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Salalah, while the Ministry of Health signed the second memorandum with "Ibn Firnas" Drone Center. This was followed by the opening of the accompanying exhibition and the launch of the first panel discussion titled "A Sustainable Health Future."
The opening programme also included the screening of a documentary film on the journey of health planning in the governorate, in addition to the presentation of working papers addressing health transformation lessons and national indicators of the non-communicable diseases health survey.
The forum's sessions over the days of its convening focus on two main themes: "Governance and Leadership" and "Health System Readiness," as they discuss the experience of health clusters in the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, national cadre empowerment policies, and the review of a package of digital and innovative initiatives such as the "Dawa'i", "Qatrah", and "Wisal" platforms, as well as artificial intelligence and telemedicine projects.
The forum's programme includes several interactive panel discussions with the participation of a number of officials and experts, covering the themes of planning, institutional innovation, quality management, and patient care, alongside reviewing successful experiences and practices in developing health services.
It is worth noting that the forum's scientific programme includes the presentation of 25 working papers distributed over 5 main panel discussions, in addition to reviewing 16 projects and innovative initiatives, as well as dedicating accompanying awareness and advisory corners aimed at consolidating the concepts of sustainable healthcare.
