Rollout of mandatory health insurance in 2023: Oman

Rollout of mandatory health insurance in 2023: Oman

Implementation of the mandatory health insurance scheme for the private sector, also known as ‘Dhamani’, will commence in 2023, according to a key official of the healthcare sector.

Dr Waleed al Zadjali, President of the Omani Medical Association (OMA), made the announcement at a press briefing on the upcoming Oman Health Exhibition and Conference (OHEC).

He said the scheme will be rolled out in phases to cover different categories of private companies operating in the Sultanate of Oman.

Under the the Dhamani scheme, private sector employees and their dependents will be covered by mandatory health insurance. Tourists and visitors to Oman will be brought under the purview of the programme as well.

Health insurance is one of the fastest growing segments of the insurance industry in the Sultanate of Oman. According to the audited financial statements of the insurance sector, health insurance premiums rose 5.6 per cent to RO 164 million in 2021, and the value of compensation related to health insurance activity dipped 0.5 per cent to RO 120 million. The data also showed an increase in the health insurance policies by 88 per cent to 23,000 policies.

Also in attendance at Monday’s press conference were Dr Rashid al Abri, OMA Vice President and