Being the information outlet that outreaches the public, the Public Relations and Communication Department of the  Ministry of Health, like other departments of the Ministry, has actively taken part in combating and mitigating  the spread of the Corona virus 2019 (COVID-19). The department is publishing news, data, and broadcasting awareness materials prepared by the Ministry’s Health Education and Awareness Programs department. In addition, the contact center that is affiliated with the department is connecting the Ministry as a whole and the community various groups.

Since the first meeting on COVID-19, the Department has continued to exhibit its dynamic media role in publishing press materials that varied afterwards according to the developments of the global situation with the corresponding local interest. The department, by working with the media cell of the Supreme Committee tasked with handling the developments resulting from the spread of the Corona virus along with The Oman's Government Communication Centre (GC), represents the first source of the broadcasted news throughout its virtual channels at the e-health portal as well its social media sites.  

Furthermore, the Department has a major role in the coordination process for TV and radio reports and programs on official and private radio and channels, in addition to newspapers by arranging official speakers in  both Arabic and English languages with full knowledge of the pandemic, its updates as well  the precautionary and preventive measures taken in this respect.

The department, in coordination with the Ministry’s Health Education and Awareness Programs, provides TV and Radio producers with the required data and information needed for their reports and programs, as well as in producing radio and television breaks and awareness programs.

The positive cooperation between the Ministry of Health represented by the Department of Public Relations and Communication and the various media is an effective tool in delivering its message to the public opinion. The cooperation is achieved through news, reports and the data issued by the concerned authorities in the Ministry, or by facilitating the dissemination of the various education and awareness- raising means in coordination with The Ministry’s HEAP.

the process of receiving and preparing the news and educational materials to be posted to various media and communication platforms are collectively involving department’s  sections of Media and Translation that include media specialists, photographers and translators, assisted by other colleagues in the department concerned with design and e- media (e-health portal and Ministry's accounts in the social media).

Moreover, the department plays a vital role in spotting and refuting rumors particularly on the social media platforms in collaboration with the Oman-GC. Their effective partnership is characterized in standing against rumors and false news, as well as working harmonically to clarify any ambiguity to the public and correct some misconceptions about the disease and methods of prevention.

Since the beginning of events to deal with COVID-19 and limiting its spread, the department's Contact Center has played likewise a vital and effective role amid this crisis.  Along with its primary role in serving all citizens and residents benefiting from the MOH services in the areas of health education, responding to inquiries, receiving complaints from members of society or employees of the ministry and transferring them to the competent authority and following them up, receiving proposals and transferring them to the competent authority, the Center has further responded to any queries on Corona pandemic.  It is operated daily from 7:30 am until 9:30 pm except for official holidays where it starts operating from 9:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon.

Nonetheless and given the evolving situation of the disease, that required an increasing emphasis and follow-up, as from 25 February the Contact Center has been activated to operate around the clock. Its services have been limited to address COVID-19, consequently increasing the Center’s responding rate because of the increased calls rate.

A hotline 1212 for MOH’s Contact Center has been added in order to facilitate the reception of calls. The center is currently operating in a systematic coordination to obtain the highest quality and professionalism. Moreover, the Center is providing phone obstetrics and gynecology consulting service as well mental health services.

It is worth to mention that the Ministry of Health has launched the Contact Center in 2015 to function as a focal point between the Ministry and the community, recruiting well- trained and qualified employees.