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Oman Expat Health Insurance

The Sultanate of Oman borders the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and faces the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Oman was rated as the most improved country over the past forty years by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The Arabic nation is ruled by a sultan and prime minister, and the imamate was established in AD751. Most of Oman is desert plain, although there are mountain ranges to the north and southeast. Overall it has a hot, dry climate, with average temperatures peaking at 40 degrees Celsius in June. Drought is a constant risk in Oman, so access to water of great importance strategically and economically. Omanis’ high quality of life is largely dependent on the oil and gas industry, and there is some concern about the future of the country’s economy after proven reserves are extinguished.

Oman Healthcare and Insurance

Life expectancy at birth in Oman is near the developed country average – 72 years for males and 77 years for females. However, total annual per capita health expenditure in Oman is relatively low among developed countries at USD787, although this is much higher than the WHO Eastern Mediterranean regional average. Omani health care spending makes up about 3.0 percent of GDP. Government spending accounts for nearly 80 percent of total health expenditure in Oman, but among private health care spending, private Oman health insurance makes up only 24 percent. Most of the remainder of private spending comes from out of pocket expenditure.

Prevalence of communicable diseases is relatively low in Oman. On average there is one case of HIV per 1,000 adults, and 16 cases of tuberculosis per 100,000 people. These figures represent less than one eighth of the global average for both these diseases. The WHO has reported a couple of outbreaks of meningitis in Oman, but the most recent of these was in 2000.

Noncommunicable diseases associated with modern diets and sedentary lifestyles are increasingly a health concern of Omanis as obesity becomes a growing problem. Nearly 20 percent of males and more than one quarter of Omani females are obese, and suffer from the health concerns correlated with being overweight.

Oman’s health care work force is well staffed. There are 19 doctors and 41 nurses and midwives per 10,000 Omanis. Omani antenatal, birth and infant health care are nearly universally utilised. All births are attended by a skilled health care professional and maternal mortality rates are low, with 20 per 100,000 live births.

Oman Travel Advice

As mentioned above, being a desert nation magnifies the importance of access to water in Oman. Thanks to a series of public health initiatives, about 90 percent of Omanis now have access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation. However, the figures are lower for rural Omanis.

Access to basic health care is widely available in Oman except for in the remote desert and mountainous hinterlands. Most towns and cities have hospitals, pharmacies and health clinics. However, ambulance service is not yet available in Oman. Transportation to the hospital must be provided oneself, or by dialing 999 for police assistance.

If you have health problems requiring syringes for injections, it is recommended that you bring your own needles along with a note from a physician. Orally administered pharmaceuticals are preferred in Oman.

The desert heat is the cause of some of the main health problems for visitors, expatriates and locals alike. Ensure that you are drinking sufficient water to remain hydrated, and wear loose light clothing to reflect the heat. Try to avoid being outdoors at mid-day, when the heat from the sun is strongest. Also note that heavy sun exposure can have serious interactions with certain pharmaceuticals, so consult your physician before a visit or move to Oman.

The prevalence of malaria and other insect borne diseases in Oman has been reduced in recent years thanks to a number of public health measures. However, malaria still exists in areas with more moisture and vegetation. Using insect repellent with DEET and wearing long-sleeved clothing can help reduce risk. If visiting an area with greater likelihood of malaria, it may be advisable to take a preventative course of antimalarial pills, which are available at most Omani pharmacies.

As with travellers in most parts of the world, stomach ailments are the number one complaint in Oman. While Oman’s Middle Eastern cuisine is justly world-renowned, taking a few precautionary measures may help insure your good health. Avoid raw and undercooked foods and drink only bottled water while visiting Oman. Acute cases of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can be usually be treated by over the counter medication. Persistent or serious illness should be treated by a doctor or specialist.

Road accidents are another major source of traveller health problems. These can usually be attributed to alcohol related crashes or unfamiliarity with the rules of the road. Omani traffic drives on the right, and due to the low cost of petrol, many drivers have powerful cars which are driven very fast.

Oman’s authorities proudly refer to the Ministry of Health Miracle over the past three decades. From humble beginnings in upon beginning reforms in the early 1980s, Oman has dramatically improved all major health care indicators, and the WHO ranked Oman as the most efficient health care system in the world. While visitors and expatriates in Oman may also have access to this care, serious medical emergencies may require evacuation to Europe or the patient’s home country, which can cost in excess of USD100,000. Hence, an international health insurance plan is recommended in order to lessen the impact of a medical catastrophe.

Oman Expat Health Insurance

The healthcare system in Oman provides tremendous services to much of the local populace, however as an expatriate you will be required to pay for treatment received. In more remote parts of the country, ambulance services may not be available and in some cases of serious emergency you may have to receive treatment from a facilities outside of Oman. Expat health insurance can make sure that the costs of healthcare are covered and also that in case of serious emergency, you will be covered for services such as medical air evacuation and transportation. Given the wide range of international health insurance plans available, it is important to have a trusted advisor to help you select the best option for you, your family, tour group or company, globally and in Oman. Expat health insurance plans we work with provide a wide range of benefits including options for maternity, alternative medicine, dental and specialist treatments. Global Health Insurance has a dedicated team of experienced advisors available around the clock to assist you in making the best choice to ensure your health and peace of mind should the unthinkable happen. Contact Global Health Insurance today for more information.