The Ministry of Health, represented by the Quality Assurance Center, organized today (Monday) a panel discussion on Patient Rights, Responsibilities, and Empowerment in the Healthcare Sector at the Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science.
 The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development, and was attended by Their Excellencies and several high-ranking officials from various government sectors.
The forum witnessed wide participation from civil society organizations, including branches of the Omani Women’s Association and numerous healthcare professionals from both public and private sectors involved in health-related services.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al-Mandhari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning and Health Regulation, underscored in a speech Oman’s leading role in advocating for patient safety on the global stage, and highlighted the nation’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centered health system.
Dr. Qamra Al Saririyah, MOH’s Director General of the Quality Assurance Center, presented the National Document of Patient Rights and Responsibilities, highlighting its key pillars and strategic objectives. 
The program also included an introductory presentation on Adverse Event Disclosure Policy & Procedure, delivered by Asmaa Al Hudaifiyah, Director of Patient Safety and Risk Management at QAC. In addition, an awareness video on patient rights and responsibilities was shown.
The panel discussion was then convened, moderated by Dr. Nasser Al-Azri, Director General of Human Resources, alongside Dr. Qamra Al Saririyah. The panel featured a distinguished lineup of speakers including H.E. Mansour Zahir Al-Hajri, Chairman of Health Committee in Shura Council, Dr. Rashid Al-Balushi, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission, Dr. Saleh Al-Hinai, Senior Consultant in Family Medicine, Supervisor of MOH’s Contact Center, Dr. Ruqaya Al-Dhahiriya, Head of Legal Research and Studies at the Royal Hospital, Abdulaziz Al-Shafie, Head of Legal Affairs at Oman College of Health Sciences, and Faiz Al-Toobi, Head of Oncology Patient Services at RH. 
fundamental themes to enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Oman were underlined including the establishment and reinforcement of patient rights and responsibilities, patient empowerment, and the legal, legislative, ethical, and humanitarian dimensions of healthcare delivery. 
The event also addressed ongoing challenges facing patient rights in Oman, emphasizing the role of healthcare institutions, media, and civil society in cultivating a culture of respect, awareness, and shared responsibility.
The audience actively contributed in the Q&A sessions, offering insightful questions and feedback that enriched the discussions.
A notable highlight of the panel was the official launch of the Adverse Event Disclosure Policy & Procedure, aimed at fostering transparency and mutual trust between healthcare providers, patients, and the wider community.