Oman Health Insurance

The Sultanate of Oman is one of the most stable and developed countries in the Arab world. Its neighbours include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The country is a monarchy with the Sultan of Oman being the highest authority. The Sultan is aided by a parliamentary cabinet known as “Diwans”. Oman gained independence from Portugal in 1650 and maintains close ties to the United States of America and the United Kingdom. The capital city is Muscat and the official language is Arabic, the second language is English. The population of Oman is estimated to be approximately 3.03 million people, half of who live in or north of Muscat. Approximately 600,000 expatriates live and work in Oman.

The centre of Oman is covered in a desert plain. Mountain ranges can be found in the north and a long coastline in the south. The landscape affects the country’s climate which is hot and dry in the centre and humid along the coastline. During the hot season, May to September, temperatures can reach 54 degrees Celsius. The country receives very little rainfall which leads to water shortages. The majority of the rain occurs in January each year in the capital city Muscat. Some parts of the coast receive no rain at all, while the mountainous areas receive more. Dhofar has a monsoon season from late June to October. Many types of animals can be seen in Oman including the leopard, fox, wolf, gazelle, hyena, hare, oryz, falcon, vulture, eagle and green sea turtle.

The residents of Oman enjoy a good standard of living thanks to the country’s oil reserves. The Government is the country’s largest employer and depends mostly on the income from oil, rather than taxes. In 2010 the country was producing an estimated 867,900 barrels of oil per day, of which approximately 68 percent was exported. Recently oil production has been declining so Oman is trying to diversify into other areas and is focusing on tourism and natural gas production. Agriculture, industry and mining of minerals occur but are small in comparison to the export revenue generated from the oil industry. As less than 1 percent of the country’s land is planted in crops most food is imported. Crops producing dates, grains, bananas, limes and vegetables are grown and fish is also plentiful in Oman.

Tourists are attracted to Oman’s mountains, castles, historical city walls, over 500 forts, 1,700 kilometre coastline, beaches, valleys (known as “wadis”) and deserts. Some of the wadis have deep cool pools that are safe to swim in. Most of the towns have souqs which are markets selling jewellery, wooden carvings, household goods, spices and ornaments. The oldest souq is “Muttrah” on the Corniche. Many visitors to Oman enjoy taking part in rock climbing, sand skiing in the desert, hiking, surfing, scuba diving and camel races.

Oman Health Care and Insurances

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is the main provider of health care in Oman, some other Government agencies also provide assistance. A private health care sector is available and supported by the Government, however public health care is available to all. Omani nationals have free access to public health care in Oman.

The country is home to many modern medical facilities which provide a good standard of care. The quality of medical treatment does vary depending on where you are located. Emergency treatment including ambulances is available in Oman. Ambulances were introduced in 2004 and carry United States equipment and trained staff. Western medications made by international drug companies are also available in Oman. The largest pharmacy chain in Oman is Muscat Pharmacy and Stores.

In 2001 the country was ranked 8th in the world by the World Health Organisation. In 2000 99 percent of the population had access to health care services. The system has had great success in providing preventative and curative medicine which has lowered the infant mortality rate to less than one tenth of what it was. In 2009 3.8 percent of the country’s GDP was spent on health care, there were 1.81 Doctors and 1.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people.

Many expatriates in Oman who require medical care seek treatment at Muscat Private Hospital (telephone: 968 245 836 00) located in the capital city. It offers 24 hour emergency services. Other recommended medical facilities in Muscat are the Royal Hospital of Oman and the Sultan Qaaboos University Hospital. For complicated medical problems you may need to be medically evacuated to a nearby country or another city in Oman with state of the art facilities.

All travellers to Oman should purchase Oman medical insurance that covers the cost of medical evacuation, which is notoriously expensive. Visitors requiring medical treatment who do not have Oman health insurance or a means of paying for the cost of the care may be prevented from leaving Oman until the bill is paid.

Oman Travel Insurance Concerns

Omanis are friendly and welcoming of tourists who visit their country but you must be respectful and dress conservatively. Also be prepared to be stared at for being a foreigner, particularly if you venture away from tourist hot spots. The country is safe to visit and the Police force is uncorrupted. Visitors should exercise care with their personal belongings and safety and avoid walking in unpopulated areas at night. If you need emergency help while travelling in Oman you should telephone 9999.

Oman has adopted English as its second language so almost all signs appear in both Arabic and English and many people speak English. The locals eat their main meal of the day at noon and have a lighter meal in the evening. Tap water is said to be safe however it is advisable to drink bottled water as the locals do themselves. Visitors need to be careful that they don’t suffer from dehydration during the hot summer months. Alcohol is expensive and can only be purchased by non Omanis and non Muslim tourists in limited places. No one is prohibited to drink alcohol in public.

Taxis are safe in Oman as it is a protected profession. The orange badged taxis are unmetered so you will need to negotiate the fare before you depart and whether you want it “engaged” meaning you pay for all four seats and have the taxi to yourself. Shared minibuses are available at a lower price than taxis. Tourists need to be aware that women should sit next to women, if there are any of the bus, and men next to other men.

Rental cars can also be hired, it is recommended that a four wheel drive be hired if possible if you want to go off roading or drive in the wadis which are unsealed. Flash floods do occur in Oman so be sure to move to higher ground if you see dark clouds or rain starting. Visitors should ensure that they obey the local traffic laws as penalties for violation are strict. Fines are issued for not keeping your car clean, talking on a cell phone while driving, running a red light, not wearing a seat belt, speeding, screeching a cars tyres and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The currency in Oman is the Omani rial (OMR). Cash can be withdrawn from ATMS in the capital city of Muscat and other major towns, although not all ATMs will accept foreign cards. Currency can be converted into OMR at the airport or around the country, where the exchange rate is often 1 or 2 percent lower than the airport.

Before you travel to Oman the Center for Disease Control recommends that you be vaccinated against measles/mumps/rubella, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. Visitors who may be exposed to animals should also be vaccinated against rabies. There is a small risk of contracting malaria in the remote areas of Musandam Province. It is not necessary to take anti malarial tablets. Q fever has been reported in Oman and brucellosis in the southern parts of the country. Dengue fever can also be contracted from infected Aedes mosquitoes, precautions should be taken to ensure that you are not bitten. Long sleeved tops and pants should be worn, an insect repellent containing DEET should be used, windows should be closed at night and/or a mosquito net placed over the bed.

Oman Expat Health Insurance

If you choose to travel to Oman we recommend you purchase medical insurance to cover the cost of any unforeseen medical expenses. At Expat Medical Insurance we can help you select a plan from many of the world’s leading medical insurers. Plans can cover a wide variety of care including hospitalisation, pregnancy, specialist care and medical evacuation. Please contact us today for a free quotation and impartial advice.