H.E. Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health presided over the fourth Health Leaders Forum of Ministry of Health “Sustainability” that took place today (Wednesday) at Radisson Blue Hotel, Suhar. 
The forum joined their Excellencies MOH’s Undersecretaries, Directors General of Health Services and hospitals Directors of the Sultanate of Oman Governorates, as well directors of departments at the Ministry headquarters. 
The objective of this two-day meeting is to review and follow up the health system in the country, outline challenges facing the system and propose solutions. 
At the commencement, the health minister highlighted the importance of enhancing aspects of cooperation and joint health integration, consultation, studying health issues, listening to different points of view, making observations, putting forward proposals and solutions to overcome the difficulties facing health work, in addition to presenting initiatives that develop the health system.
The Health Minister affirmed the Ministry’s endeavor to mitigate challenges faced by the health sector through establishing database to monitor challenges that require interventions from the part of central authorities and other sectors, which will be reviewed during the forum. 
Moreover, the minister of Health reviewed the follow-up report on the projects that have been completed and which require continuous follow-up, such as the national electronic registry for diabetes patients, the decentralization project to streamline administrative procedures, the project to improve human resources governance, the smart budget project, Imdaad project, the Nujadid initiative, and the standards of human resources needs project. His Excellency put emphasis on the need to push the implementation of initiatives and projects, so that their results and impacts can be seen during the next forum.
H.E. Dr. Al Sabti stressed the importance of enhancing integration in specialized services between the governorates to ensure the provision of services and enhance joint cooperation between governorates.
 The minister touched further on the optimal use of the National Digital Health Strategy by increasing the effectiveness of information technology and empowerment with digital interaction to develop the health sector, and the necessity of developing human resources in order to improve performance, effectiveness and competitive capabilities.
His Excellency stated at the end that encouraging various methods of innovation and thinking helps develop work in the health field, and introduces modern technologies in all health and medical fields to keep pace with the world changes. 
Dr. Khaled Al Saadi, Director General of Health Services at Al Batinah North Initiative on the Best Primary Health Institution (Tamaiuz), that recognizes good efforts and creative practices exerted in PHC institutions, evaluates actions and activities carried out to enhance the provided health services in the Governorate, strengthening hence the notion of health is the responsibility of all.  A number of ten participants involved in the Initiative were honored during the event. 
The Director General of Health Services at Al Buraimi Governorate Dr. Majed Al Muqbali reviewed challenges and opportunities for health integration among governorates: plans and successful experiences. 
Dr. Badr Al-Alawi, Director of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Office gave a presentation on aligning the strategic programs of the Ministry of Health with the goals of the Oman Vision 2040.
In addition, the forum reviewed a number of previous projects implemented by the Ministry, discussed current challenges, and proposed new projects.
A workshop on Innovation and Design Thinking was conducted in the first day of the forum that aimed at strengthening health leaders with key thinking skills, problem-solving processes, and decision-making using design thinking and innovation strategies. 
The fundamental of high performance in institutions, the skills of analyzing complex challenges in the health system were further discussed in addition to outlining strategies to drive solutions that fit the nature of the challenges and health institutions. 
Dr. Abdullah Al Muniri, MOH’s Public Health Advisor, and Dr. Hamad Al Batashi, from the DG Nursing Affairs and Royal Academy of Management trainer and certified assessor managed the workshop with interactive activities on real challenges in a way that enabled participants to have a full understanding of the health facility’s needs, design projects that enhance health system practices and sustain the provision of health services in line with the targeted goals and indicators.