The World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Muscat, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), and WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, organized today (Wednesday) a workshop on the clinical trials and medical research ethics at Avani Hotel.

The workshop was attended by Dr. Muna Al-Saadoon, Dean, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, SQU, Dr. Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative to Oman, as well as Dr. Halima Al-Hinai, Director General for Planning & Studies.

The workshop, the first of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean region, targeted researchers, physicians, and para-medical groups specialized in scientific research. Experts from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office participated in the workshop.  

The workshop shared and discussed concepts and applications of study designs, as well as focused on experimental designs.

In addition, the workshop aimed to identify the key aspects relevant to the research ethics of a new clinical trial application, review informed consent forms for clinical trials of all phases and determine the data protection guidelines at the national and international levels.

Furthermore, the workshop highlighted the methodology for monitoring clinical trials, including data safety and monitoring boards, as well as data ownership's legal and ethical aspects.

The workshop touched upon several issues such as the randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the ethics of RCTs, the foundations of data collection, Oman's perspectives on research ethics...etc.

Dr. Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative to Oman, praised the efforts and coordination between the WHO, Ministry of Health, and SQU in the field of research, emphasizing the ambition towards improving and promoting knowledge that supports studies at the national, regional, and international levels.

Dr. Halima Al-Hinai, Director General for Planning & Studies, pointed out that the Ministry of Health gives particular importance to refining the knowledge of health care providers and developing their research skills in the health sector, which will help to achieve one component of health research directed to identified priorities for medical and pharmaceutical advancements, in line with Oman Vision 2050.

She added that this workshop, with its advanced topic, will enable the participants to understand the fundamentals of designing clinical trials, the foundations of ethics of RCTs, and Good clinical and ethical practices in Oman