UN praise for Oman’s healthcare services
The United Nations representative has applauded the government of Oman and Ministry of Health to be very progressive in healthcare in general
MUSCAT: Oman’s progressive approach to family health has been applauded by the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA) during the launch of its annual report ‘State of World Population 2017’.
The report highlights that unless inequality is urgently tackled and the poorest women empowered to make their own decisions about their lives, countries could face unrest and threats to peace and development.
The cost of inequality in reproductive health and rights could threaten the entire global community’s population and health goals, the UNFPA report states.
“We had a massive effort to collect data from our offices every year to bring out this report.
“I must praise the government of Oman and Ministry of Health to be very progressive in all aspects reproductive health and health in general.
“Oman has been cited so many times as a showcase actually by other organisations for health services quality and governance,” Asr Toson, Representative from the UNFPA sub-regional office for GCC said.
“It is important. Failure to provide reproductive health services, including family planning, to the poorest women can weaken economies and sabotage progress towards the number one sustainable development goal, to eliminate poverty. Economic inequality reinforces and is reinforced by other inequalities, including those in women’s health, where only a privileged few are able to control their fertility, and, as a result, can develop skills, enter the paid labour force and gain economic power,” said Toson.
“Countries that want to tackle economic inequality can start by tackling other inequalities, such as in reproductive health and rights, and tearing down social, institutional and other obstacles that prevent women from realising their full potential,” Toson said.
Speaking about GCC countries, he added that although the problem is not acute in the region, issues related to inequality persists.
“There are inequalities in salaries, recruitment, etc. It isn’t a huge issue here but there are things that can improve. There can be longer maternity leave, awareness and promotion of reproductive health for everyone including the poorest in the society.”
Toson added that GCC countries and developed nations must help the poorer countries in terms of overcoming this inequality through both financial and technical aid.
The UNFPA strategy will be a four year plan starting from 2018 going on until 2022 And aims to combat economic, health and rights inequality.”
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
UNFPA reaches millions of women and young people in 155 countries and territories.