In the Sultanate, woman has always received a special interest since the renaissance era. Omani women occupied a prominent place in the speeches of the His Majesty the late Sultan- may Allah have mercy on his soul, as being a key partner in development; (We are continuing along this path, God willing, since we are convinced that the country, in its blessed march, needs both men and women. This is because – and there can be no doubt about this - it is like a bird, which relies upon both its wings to fly through the sky. How could it manage to do so if one of its wings was broken? Would it be able to fly?).

To recognize the magnificent and constant role and efforts of its women, Oman has dedicated the 17^th of October of every year a day for Omani Woman.

Women in Oman have undoubtedly contributed to the advancement of their country in all various domains dramatically. Since the onset of the blessed Renaissance, Omani women’s contributions in the field of health have received high praise from all, being health care providers at all conditions.

Omani females in comparison to Omani males are representing a high proportion in the Ministry of Health’s medical and allied medical categories, according to MOH’s statistics 2019. For instance, the Omani females’ percentage in physicians category represent (65%), (87%) in nursing and midwifery category, (73%) in dental category, (86%) in pharmacy category, and (64%) in other medical allied jobs.

Regarding the health of women, the Ministry of Health has allocated number of health programs such as women’s care program during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, the family planning program, the antenatal care program and others. Since 1987, maternal and child health care services have spread to all the Sultanate’s governorates and have been implemented in an appropriate manner where it achieved its desired goals in reducing the number of deaths among mothers and children and raising the level of the provided health care.

In line with the advancement led in all areas of life, the health sector in the Sultanate as well has witnessed a radical development in the concept of health services and implementation. The Ministry of Health has followed the method of developing successive five-year plans for health development, starting from 1976.

In the eighties, the second phase focused on developing the quality of health services to become more comprehensive by introducing additional programs among which are early pre-marital screening, birth spacing program, and maternity care services support program. In the nineties, Omani women joined many regional and international organizations interested in women's health and social affairs.

Along with the MOH, Omani women have pursued further their career professions in the health domain in other health institutions including Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Armed Forces Hospital (AFH), Royal Omani Police hospital (ROPH), Diwan of Royal Court Medical Services, as well effectively enrolled in the private health sector.

The ability of Omani woman during the times of health crises and emergencies was apparent amidst COVID-19 pandemic. She seeks all means to provide efficiently different kinds of healthcare services whether in primary health care institution, hospitals, laboratory, ICU, pharmacy, radiology and all other departments.  Not only in the spheres of health but also once schools open their doors to students, school-health nurse’s role during these difficult times will be highly appreciated.

Furthermore, Omani women are pioneer in promoting health in the community through educational and awareness programs and voluntary initiatives. The most prominent example of this is the voluntary community support groups that kept pace with the development of health programs and relied on health services to deliver the message to all members of society.

Indeed, Oman is proud of its female health competencies whose ceaseless endeavors and aspirations help foster development of the country.