Progress, challenges and opportunities in building a sustainable digital health system in Oman

Abstract

Background: Oman's digital health information system now supports over 85% of its healthcare institutions. However, there are challenges in digital health governance, infrastructure, workforce development, and interoperability. Aim: To assess the progress and challenges in Oman's digital health system in the past 4 decades and explore opportunities for a sustainable system. Methods: We interviewed 80 digital health service providers and policymakers in Oman. We reviewed and analysed secondary data from the Oman Digital Health Maturity Assessment survey and from relevant documents, including national health policies, strategic plans, regulatory frameworks, and guidelines. Results: Over 40% of health care institutions did not have formal digital health governance structures, more than half did not fully implement cybersecurity protocols and approximately half lacked patient data encryption. There were differences in digital health readiness between the public and private health institutions. Key challenges include weak digital health governance, inadequate information technology infrastructure to support digitalisation and lack of a unified data exchange system across health institutions. Conclusion: Strengthening interoperability, expanding public-private partnerships and establishing clear oversight frameworks will help Oman achieve a sustainable, patient-centred digital health system.

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