To review the current state of the healthcare system in the Sultanate of Oman, monitor its performance, discuss key challenges, and explore solutions to enhance and advance healthcare services, the Seventh Health Leadership Forum of the Ministry of Health commenced today (Wednesday) at Intercity Hotel Nizwa in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate under the theme “Integration and Advancement.” 
The Forum was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, in the presence of the ministry’s Undersecretaries. The event also brought together Directors General of Health Services, hospital directors from various governorates of Oman, and directors of departments affiliated with the Office of the Minister of Health.
The two-day Forum is part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to strengthen effective health leadership, keeping pace with national transformations and supporting the objectives of the 2026–2030 Five-Year Plan, focusing on strategic themes related to performance development, governance, and integrated responses to health challenges.
At the outset of the forum, H.E. Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, delivered a speech highlighting the importance of holding such specialized forums, which serve as a strategic platform for enhancing direct communication with health leaders across the Ministry and exchanging insights and expertise to further develop institutional performance.
Al Sabti indicated that previous forums played a significant role and achieved tangible impact within the Ministry by strengthening integration among leadership levels, enhancing performance efficiency, and promoting a culture of collaborative work, which positively reflects on the quality and outcomes of healthcare services. 
The Minister of Health further emphasized the pivotal role of the Ministry of Health in supporting comprehensive development, noting that the coming phase will witness the launch of additional specialized initiatives and development projects aimed at advancing the health sector, strengthening its readiness, and aligning with national priorities and future aspirations. 
Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al Mandhari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Planning and Regulation, stressed in his welcoming speech, that the strategic directions of the health sector under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) represent a pivotal step in the development of the healthcare system in the Sultanate of Oman and a practical launch toward achieving the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
Brig. Dr. Saleh bin Saud Al Abri, Director General of the Medical City for Military and Security Services in Muscat, delivered a presentation outlining an integrated strategic vision for transformation in the health sector. The presentation reviewed the current state of the healthcare system, key existing challenges, and rapid global transformations in the health field, particularly in relation to innovation, digital transformation, and the growing role of data and artificial intelligence in supporting decision-making, as well as evolving beneficiary expectations for higher-quality and more efficient services.
During the Forum, H.E. the Minister of Health honored 23 innovative initiatives at the Directorate General of Health Services level in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, along with recognizing several physicians and healthcare institutions for their efforts and contributions to healthcare service development.
The first day’s program included a presentation on the national initiative aimed at reshaping the public perception of government employment, which seeks to enhance awareness of the real impact of government work on society and the nation. The presentation was delivered by Hilal bin Mudhafar Al Riyami, Head of the National Initiative Team at the Royal Academy of Management. The initiative comes in line with the rapid transformations in the nature of government work and its roles in serving individuals and society, noting that the Ministry of Health is among 19 government entities participating in it.
Furthermore, Dr. Yousuf bin Salem Al Hinai, Head of the Government Communication and Performance Development Unit at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, presented a working paper addressing the unit’s role in enhancing government performance efficiency and improving decision quality through unifying government messaging, supporting data-driven decision-making, and improving the quality of government services.
In the same context, Sheikh Hilal bin Abdullah Al Hinai, General Supervisor of the “Tajawob” platform project, and Talal bin Abdullah Al Rahbi, Project Manager, reviewed the platform’s ecosystem as a unified national platform aimed at enhancing government services and raising beneficiary satisfaction by unifying communication channels and receiving suggestions, complaints, reports, and inquiries, and addressing them according to clear performance indicators.